CN113106706B

CN113106706B - Clothes treating apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN113106706B
Application number: CN202011549161.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郑盛云; 张训俊
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2019-12-24
Filing date: 2020-12-24
Publication date: 2024-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-24
Also published as: US20210189629A1; EP3842585B1; CN113106706A; EP3842585A1; US11898293B2; KR20210081878A; US20240150952A1; EP4361337A2

Abstract

A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet, an outer tub, a drum, and a storage part. The storage part includes a storage part frame, a detergent tank, and an auxiliary detergent container. The detergent tank includes: a housing having an open top surface and storing a detergent therein; and a cover member detachably coupled to the top surface of the housing. The cover member includes a grip portion extending toward the auxiliary detergent container and located on an open top surface of the auxiliary detergent container.

Description

Clothes treating apparatus

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of korean patent application No. 10-2019-0174253, filed on even 24 th month 12 of 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus, and more particularly, to a laundry treating apparatus having a detergent feeder.

Background

A laundry treating apparatus is an apparatus that puts clothes, bedclothes, and the like (hereinafter, referred to as laundry) into a drum (drum) to remove dirt from the laundry. The laundry treating apparatus may perform processes such as washing, rinsing, dehydrating, drying, and the like. The laundry treating apparatus may be divided into a top loading type laundry treating apparatus and a front loading type laundry treating apparatus based on a scheme of putting laundry into the drum.

The laundry treating apparatus may include: a cabinet forming an external appearance of the laundry treating apparatus; an outer tub accommodated in the case; a drum rotatably assembled in the tub, and laundry is put into the drum; and a detergent supplier which supplies a detergent into the drum.

While the washing water is supplied to the laundry accommodated in the drum, dirt on the laundry may be removed by friction with the drum and the washing water when the drum is rotated by the motor.

The detergent feeder has a detergent feeding function to enhance a washing effect. Herein, a detergent refers to a substance that enhances a washing effect, such as a fabric detergent, a fabric softener, a fabric bleach, and the like. As the detergent, a powder form detergent and a liquid form detergent may be used.

The relevant document KR 10-2018-0090003 A1 discloses a detergent feeder comprised in a laundry treatment device. In the laundry treating apparatus, the detergent feeder has a detergent tank (detergent reservoir) and an auxiliary detergent container in which an auxiliary detergent can be accommodated.

The detergent tank needs to be easily separated from the housing according to the need by a user. Moreover, it is an important task to ensure that the auxiliary detergent is stably contained in the auxiliary detergent container even when the detergent supplier moves.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a laundry treatment apparatus that may effectively improve usability of a storage part in which detergent is stored.

In one example, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a laundry treating apparatus that may effectively improve the use efficiency of a detergent feeder.

In one example, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a laundry treatment apparatus in which a cover member of a detergent tank of a storage part (storage) may be conveniently manipulated.

In one example, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a laundry treatment device that may effectively prevent unexpected leakage of detergent.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may form a grip portion on the rim to promote ease of use of a cover member or the like separating the above-described detergent tank.

Since the grip portion of the flange portion of the cover member is additionally formed long, a phenomenon in which the auxiliary detergent in the form of powder or the like overflows to the front while supplying water of high water pressure may occur.

That is, the auxiliary detergent stored in the auxiliary detergent container in the form of powder or the like can be blocked by the grip portion corresponding to the user's handle without overflowing.

Further, an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine a set protrusion distance of the storage part to promote ease of use, and may include an engagement part based on the corresponding set protrusion distance. Since an additional rib is provided to prevent the holding portion of the engaging portion from being caught on the stopper, the elastic lever including the engaging portion can be effectively prevented from interfering with the stopper.

One aspect of the present disclosure proposes a laundry treatment apparatus, including: a case having a detergent opening defined therein; an outer barrel installed in the case; a drum rotatably installed in the outer tub; and a storage part for storing the detergent therein, wherein the storage part is retractable into the case through the detergent opening.

The storage section includes: a storage part frame which can retract into the case through the detergent opening; a detergent tank disposed in the storage part frame and storing detergent therein; and an auxiliary detergent container disposed adjacent to the detergent tank in the storage part frame and having an open top surface.

The detergent tank includes: a housing having an open top surface and storing a detergent therein; and a cover member detachably coupled to the top surface of the case, and including a grip portion extending toward the auxiliary detergent container and positioned on the open top surface of the auxiliary detergent container.

In one embodiment, the detergent opening may be defined at a front surface of the case, the storage part may be retracted into the detergent opening in a front-rear direction, and the grip part may be positioned at a front of the auxiliary detergent container.

In one embodiment, the auxiliary detergent container may include a front wall and a side wall, and include a detergent storage space surrounded by the front wall and the side wall and exposed through an open top surface of the auxiliary detergent container.

In one embodiment, the detergent tank may be disposed to surround the front and side portions of the auxiliary detergent container, the cover member may further include a flange portion protruding toward the open top surface of the auxiliary detergent container, and the flange portion may extend along the front wall and the side wall of the auxiliary detergent container, and the grip portion may be formed on the front portion positioned on the front wall of the auxiliary detergent container.

In one embodiment, the clamping portion may further include a protrusion protruding downward from the flange portion.

In one embodiment, the detergent tank may include: a detergent injection part positioned on a front side of the detergent tank and having a detergent injection hole defined therein; a detergent discharge part positioned on a rear side of the detergent tank, wherein the detergent can be discharged from the detergent discharge part; and a connection part to connect the detergent injection part and the detergent discharge part to each other, and a front wall of the auxiliary detergent container may face at least a portion of the detergent injection part and a side wall of the auxiliary detergent may face at least a portion of the connection part.

In one embodiment, the detergent injection part may include a lateral protrusion protruding more in a lateral direction than the connection part, a front wall of the auxiliary detergent container may be positioned behind the lateral protrusion, and the grip part may extend rearward from the lateral protrusion.

In one embodiment, the above-described detergent tank may include a pair of detergent tanks, which may be disposed adjacent to each other in a lateral direction, and the auxiliary detergent container may be positioned between respective connection parts of the pair of detergent tanks, and respective lateral protrusions of the pair of detergent tanks may be positioned in front of the auxiliary detergent container.

In one embodiment, the front portion of the flange portion may extend toward the auxiliary detergent container longer than the side portion of the flange portion positioned on the sidewall of the auxiliary detergent container.

In one embodiment, the cover member may include a vent hole defined in the detergent injection part to communicate the inside and outside of the detergent tank with each other.

In one embodiment, the sensor terminal and the detergent valve may be disposed at a rear surface of the case, the sensor terminal and the detergent valve may protrude rearward from the case, and the rear surface of the storage part frame may be opened (opened) at positions corresponding to the sensor terminal and the detergent valve, respectively, and may include a holding part extending at a portion between the sensor terminal and the detergent valve.

In one embodiment, the laundry treating apparatus may further include: the distributor is arranged in the box body and on the storage part; a stopper provided on the dispenser and protruding toward the storage part; and an engagement portion provided on the storage portion and protruding toward the dispenser.

In a state in which the storage part is retracted into the detergent opening, the stopper may be positioned to be spaced apart from the engaging part forwardly, and during the extension of the storage part from the detergent opening, the engaging part may be in contact with the stopper so as to limit the extension distance of the storage part.

In one embodiment, the laundry treating device may further include an elastic lever provided on the storage part, wherein a front end of the elastic lever forms a free end, wherein the engagement part is provided behind the front end, and the front end of the elastic lever may be exposed to the outside of the detergent opening in a state where the engagement part contacts the stopper to thereby restrict the extension of the storage part.

In one embodiment, the laundry treating device may further include a guide protrusion having a smaller width than the stopper and extending rearward from the stopper, the engaging portion may have a groove defined at a position facing the guide protrusion, and the guide protrusion may be inserted into the groove in a state where the engaging portion is in contact with the stopper.

In one embodiment, one face of the guide protrusion facing the storage part may be inclined so as to move away from the storage part with increasing distance from the stopper.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a laundry treating apparatus that may effectively improve usability of a storage part storing detergent.

In one example, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a laundry treating apparatus that may effectively improve the use efficiency of a detergent feeder.

In one example, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a laundry treatment apparatus in which a cover member of a detergent tank of a storage part may be conveniently manipulated.

In one example, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a laundry treatment apparatus that may effectively prevent accidental leakage of detergent.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a detergent feeder of a laundry treating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a detergent dispenser in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is a view illustrating a state in which a storage part protrudes from a laundry treating device in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 illustrates a state in which the detergent dispenser of fig. 3 is cut along a line A-A;

fig. 7 is a view illustrating an engagement protrusion in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 is a view illustrating an engagement elastic portion in an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which covers are formed at both ends, respectively;

fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an engagement protrusion and an engagement elastic portion in a state where a storage portion is retracted in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a storage part is extended in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 11 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the storage part in fig. 10 is retracted;

fig. 12 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the retraction process of the storage part in fig. 11 is terminated;

fig. 13 is a view illustrating that in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cover is formed at a rear end and an engagement elastic portion slides at a front end;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the engagement elastic portion and the engagement protrusion in fig. 13;

fig. 15 is a sectional view illustrating the engagement elastic portion and the engagement protrusion in fig. 14;

fig. 16 is a view illustrating a sagging prevention part in a state where a storage part is extended in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the sagging prevention portion of FIG. 16;

fig. 18 is a view illustrating a sagging-preventing elastic part of a fixing part in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a top view of a reservoir in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of a reservoir according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 21 is a view illustrating a cover member of a detergent tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 22 is a sectional view illustrating the detergent tank of fig. 19 taken along line B-B;

fig. 23 is an enlarged view of a region D in fig. 22;

fig. 24 is an enlarged view of region C in fig. 19;

fig. 25 is a view illustrating the bottom surface of a dispenser in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 26 is an enlarged view of a region E in fig. 25;

fig. 27 is a view illustrating a stopper and an engaging portion with a storage portion extended in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the stop and engagement portion of FIG. 27 taken along line F-F;

Fig. 29 is a view illustrating a state in which the elastic lever in fig. 27 is pressed;

fig. 30 is a view illustrating a state in which a joint is removed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a top view of a detergent tank in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 32 is an enlarged view illustrating a vent hole of the detergent tank in fig. 31;

fig. 33 is a view illustrating a cross section of a vent in an embodiment of the disclosure;

fig. 34 is a view illustrating the inside of a detergent tank in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 35 is a view illustrating the detergent tank of fig. 34 cut along line G-G;

fig. 36 is a view illustrating a bottom surface of a cover member in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 37 is a view illustrating an edge region of a detergent tank in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 38 is a view from the rear of a detergent tank in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 39 illustrates a state in which the detergent valve of fig. 38 is rotated to a closed state;

fig. 40 is a view illustrating a valve hole of a detergent tank in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 41 is a view illustrating a detergent valve in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 42 is a view illustrating a detergent valve inserted into a valve hole in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 43 is a view illustrating a state in which the detergent valve of fig. 42 is inserted into the valve hole in an opened state;

fig. 44 is a view illustrating a state in which the detergent valve in fig. 43 is rotated to a closed state;

fig. 45 is a view illustrating a coupling groove of a detergent valve in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 46 is a view illustrating a section of a detergent valve coupled to a valve hole in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 47 is a view illustrating a state in which the detergent valve in fig. 46 is coupled to an inlet of the detergent pump; and

fig. 48 is a view illustrating a rear surface of a storage part frame in which a detergent tank is inserted in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can easily implement the embodiment.

This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, for clarity of description of the present disclosure, components irrelevant to the description are omitted in the drawings. Further, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the specification.

Repeated descriptions of the same components are omitted herein.

Furthermore, it will be understood that when an element is referred to herein as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or one or more intervening elements may be present. On the other hand, it will be understood that when an element is referred to herein as being "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no other intervening elements present.

The terminology used in the detailed description is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the disclosure only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.

As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It will be understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "having," "including," and "having," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.

Furthermore, in this specification, the term "and/or" includes a plurality of listed items or a combination of any of a plurality of listed items. In the present specification, "a or B" may include "a", "B" or "both a and B".

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, fig. 2 is a view of the laundry treating apparatus 1 as viewed from above, and fig. 3 is a top view of a detergent feeder 100 of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 1 to 3, a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a case 10 having a detergent opening 15 defined in a front surface thereof; an outer tub 20 installed in the case 10; a drum 30 rotatably installed in the tub 20; and a detergent feeder 100 installed in the detergent opening 15.

The laundry treating apparatus 1 may include: a washing machine in which clothes are loaded into a washing tub (washing tank) to perform washing, rinsing, dehydrating, etc.; a dryer into which wet clothes are loaded to be dried; etc.

The laundry treating apparatus 1 may be divided into a top loading type laundry treating apparatus and a front loading type laundry treating apparatus. Fig. 1 illustrates a front loading type laundry treating apparatus 1, but this is merely for convenience of description. Because the present disclosure is not only for a front loading type washing machine, the present disclosure may also be applicable to a top loading type washing machine.

As shown in fig. 1, the laundry treating apparatus 1 may have: a cabinet 10 forming an external appearance of the laundry treating apparatus 1; and a manipulation unit having a display that receives various control instructions from a user and displays information about an operation state. The laundry treating device 1 may include a door 40 mounted at the front surface of the cabinet 10, and the door is pivotally provided to allow laundry to enter and exit.

The cabinet 10 forms an external appearance of the laundry treating apparatus 1. A space may be provided in the cabinet 10, and various components constituting the laundry treating apparatus 1 may be accommodated in the space. A drum 30 may be installed in the cabinet 10, and the drum 30 serves to receive laundry loaded therein through the door 40.

In particular, the tub 20 and the drum 30 may be disposed within the cabinet 10, the washing water is contained in the tub 20, and the drum 30 is rotatably provided within the tub 20 to contain laundry within the drum 30. A balancer to compensate for eccentricity caused by rotation may be installed at one side of the drum 30.

The manipulation unit may include various keys for manipulating the operation state of the laundry treating apparatus 1, and a display for displaying the operation state of the laundry treating apparatus 1. The door 40 may include a transparent member such as tempered glass so that the inside of the cabinet 10 or the drum 30 can be visually recognized.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the laundry treating device 1 may have a detergent opening 15 defined in a front surface thereof, and the detergent feeder 100 may be disposed within the detergent opening 15.

The positions of the detergent openings 15 may be varied, and fig. 1 illustrates a state in which the detergent openings 15 are defined parallel to the manipulation unit in the lateral direction Y.

The detergent dispenser 100 may be installed in the detergent opening 15, and the detergent opening 15 may be defined at one side of the upper portion of the cabinet 10. The detergent dispenser 100 may include a storage part 300 capable of storing detergent therein. Fig. 3 is a top view of the detergent dispenser 100.

The detergent supplier 100 serves to automatically supply the detergent stored in the storage part 300 to the inside of the drum 30 during a washing operation. The detergent refers to a substance that can enhance the washing effect of laundry, and may include liquid fabric detergents and liquid fabric softeners.

Fig. 4 illustrates a state in which the detergent dispenser 100 is disassembled. The detergent dispenser 100 may include a dispenser 200, a storage part 300, and a dispenser housing 400 from top to bottom as shown in fig. 4.

The detergent may be stored in the storage part 300. The storage part 300 may be inserted into the detergent opening 15 in the front-rear direction X, and may include a front handle 305, a storage part frame 390, and a detergent tank 310 disposed in the storage part frame 390.

In the present disclosure, the front and rear may be defined based on the detergent opening 15. For example, it is understood that the direction from the detergent opening 15 toward the outside of the case 10 is a forward direction, and the direction from the detergent opening 15 toward the inside of the case 10 is a backward direction. That is, even if the door 40 and the detergent opening 15 are disposed on different faces of the cabinet 10, the front and rear may be defined around the detergent opening 15.

In one example, fig. 5 illustrates a view of the storage part 300 protruding from the detergent opening 15, as seen from the outside of the cabinet 10.

When the user grasps and then pulls the handle 305 provided on the front surface of the storage part 300, the storage part 300 slides forward from a state stacked with the dispenser 200 and the feeder housing 400 in a state retracted into the detergent opening 15, so that the storage part 300 can protrude out of the case 10 or out of the detergent opening 15. Similarly, when the user pushes the handle 305 rearward, the storage part 300 can be slid and inserted into the detergent opening 15.

In one example, fig. 6 illustrates a state in which the detergent feeder 100 of fig. 3 is cut along the line A-A. Referring to fig. 6, an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a fixing portion provided within the case 10 and disposed to face one surface extending in a front-rear direction X in which the storage portion 300 is retracted into the detergent opening 15.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: an engagement protrusion 320 provided on the one surface of the storage part 300 and protruding toward the fixing part; and an engagement elastic part 220 provided in the fixing part, protruding toward the one face of the storage part 300, and positioned in parallel with the engagement protrusion 320 along the front-rear direction X to be pressed and elastically deformed by the engagement protrusion 320 during retraction of the storage part 300.

At least a portion of the engagement elastic portion 220 may be detachably coupled to the fixing portion.

In particular, the fixing portion may be provided inside the case 10 and disposed to face the one face of the storage portion 300 extending in the front-rear direction X. Fig. 6 illustrates a state in which the bottom surface of the fixing portion is disposed to face the top surface of the storage portion 300.

In the present disclosure, the fixing portion may face one of the top surface and both side surfaces of the storage portion 300, and may be the feeder housing 400 or a separate component. However, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixing part may correspond to the dispenser 200, which is capable of supplying water to the detergent supplier 100 of the storage part 300 during washing.

Unlike the storage part 300, the fixing part may not be retracted or extended through the detergent opening 15 in a state of being mounted in the case 10, but may be provided in a state of being fixed at a specific position.

The engagement protrusion 320 may be provided on the one face of the storage part 300 facing the fixing part (e.g., the dispenser 200). Fig. 6 illustrates a state in which the engagement protrusion 320 is provided on the top surface of the storage part 300, and fig. 7 illustrates an enlarged view of the engagement protrusion 320.

The engagement protrusion 320 may protrude from the one face of the storage part 300 toward the fixing part. The protrusion shape of the engagement protrusion 320 may be changed as needed.

The engagement elastic portion 220 may be provided in the fixing portion. The engagement elastic part 220 may be formed to protrude from the fixing part toward the storage part 300. For example, as shown in fig. 6, the engagement resilient portion 220 may protrude downward from the dispenser 200. Fig. 7 illustrates the engagement elastic portion 220 provided in the fixing portion.

The engagement elastic portion 220 may be configured such that at least a portion thereof overlaps (overlaps) the engagement protrusion 320 in the front-rear direction X. That is, the engagement elastic portion 220 may be positioned in parallel with the engagement protrusion 320 along the front-rear direction X. Accordingly, at least a portion of the engagement elastic portion 220 may be pressed and elastically deformed by the engagement protrusion 320 during the retraction or extension process of the storage portion 300.

The shape of the protrusion of the engagement elastic portion 220 may be changed as needed. For example, the engagement protrusion 320 and the engagement elastic portion 220 may have shapes whose centers protrude such that front and rear sides thereof have gentle slopes.

The engagement elastic part 220 may be made of a material having elasticity and capable of being deformed and restored, and may have higher elasticity than the engagement protrusion 320. Further, the engagement elastic portion 220 may have higher elasticity than the material of the fixing portion.

Fig. 9 is a view illustrating the engaging elastic part 220 and the engaging protrusion 320 in a state where the storage part 300 is retracted into the detergent opening 15 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 9, at least a portion of the engagement elastic portion 220 (e.g., a portion including a downwardly protruding end portion) may be disposed to overlap the engagement protrusion 320 in the front-rear direction X or the retracting direction of the storage portion 300.

Fig. 10 illustrates a state in which the storage part 300 in the extended state slides into the detergent opening 15. Referring to fig. 10, the storage part 300 may be extended such that the engagement protrusion 320 is positioned in front of the engagement elastic part 220, and the engagement protrusion 320 may be moved backward toward the engagement elastic part 220 during retraction.

In fig. 11, a state in which the engaging protrusion 320 in fig. 10 moves rearward and overlaps the engaging elastic portion 22 in the vertical direction Z is illustrated.

Referring to fig. 11, during the retraction of the storage part 300, the engagement protrusion 320 may move backward while pressing the engagement elastic part 220. That is, the engagement elastic portion 220 may be positioned to overlap the engagement protrusion 320 in the vertical direction Z, and may be pressed and deformed by the engagement protrusion 320.

The engagement elastic portion 220 pressed by the engagement protrusion 320 may be deformed such that the protruding height thereof is reduced, and thus the engagement protrusion 320 may pass the engagement elastic portion 220 and move backward.

Fig. 12 shows a state in which the engagement protrusion 320 shown in fig. 11 is moved rearward and passes through the engagement elastic part 220, and the storage part 300 is completely retracted into the detergent opening 15.

Referring to fig. 12, when the storage part 300 is completely retracted into the detergent opening 15, the engagement protrusion 320 passes through the engagement elastic part 220 and is positioned behind the engagement elastic part 220. After the engagement elastic portion 220 is elastically deformed by the engagement protrusion 320, the engagement elastic portion 220 may be elastically restored when the engagement protrusion 320 passes the engagement elastic portion 220.

The user can extend the storage part 300 from the detergent opening 15 using the handle 305 and inject the detergent into the storage part 300. The storage part 300 storing the detergent may be retracted into the detergent opening 15 by sliding backward. In this regard, the user can understand the retraction of the storage part 300 through the contact relationship between the engagement protrusion 320 and the engagement elastic part 220.

For example, the user may recognize the contact 300 between the engagement protrusion 320 and the engagement elastic part 220 in the process of grasping the handle 305 and pushing the storage part backward, and a predetermined pressure may be transmitted to the user. When the engagement protrusion 320 passes the engagement elastic part 220, the force transmitted to the user can be reduced, and the user can recognize that the storage part 300 has completely reached the retracted state.

Further, since the restoring force of the engaging elastic part 220 is transmitted to the engaging protrusion 320, the engaging elastic part 220 may provide a moving force to the engaging protrusion 320 such that the storage part 300 (moved to pass the engaging protrusion 320 through the engaging elastic part 220) is retracted to the distal end of the detergent opening 15.

Thus, the user feels a certain reaction force. Then, the reaction force disappears when the storage part 300 is retracted into the detergent opening 15, but a force causing retraction is provided so that the user can feel a soft and stable retraction feeling of the storage part 300.

In one example, referring again to fig. 8, in the laundry treating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the engagement elastic portion 220 may be detachably coupled to the fixing portion.

In particular, the engagement elastic portion 220 may be manufactured separately from the fixing portion, and at least a portion thereof may be configured to be coupled to the fixing portion. In this regard, the engagement elastic portion 220 may be coupled to and detachable from the fixing portion.

The engagement elastic portion 220 corresponds to an elastic body deformed and restored by being pressed by the engagement protrusion 320. It may be advantageous that the joint elastic part 220 is made of a material that is more easily deformed than the material of the fixing part and has excellent elasticity. An embodiment of the present disclosure may be advantageous in that the joint elastic part 220 is manufactured separately from the fixing part, so that the joint elastic part 220 may be manufactured using a material different from that of the fixing part having high rigidity.

In addition, the manufacturing of the fixing portion may include a heat treatment process. In this case, after the heat treatment, the elasticity of the material of the fixing portion may be reduced and the rigidity may be increased. When the joint elastic part 220 is molded together with the fixing part, the elasticity of the joint elastic part 220 may also be reduced by a heat treatment process.

That is, an embodiment of the present disclosure is advantageous in that since the joint elastic part 220 is manufactured separately from the fixing part and detachably coupled to the fixing part, variations in material characteristics caused by a series of grinding processes included in the manufacturing of the fixing part can be avoided.

In one example, in the laundry treating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a state in which the storage part 300 is retracted into the detergent opening 15, the maximum protrusion point 228 of the engagement elastic part 220 may be positioned in front of the maximum protrusion point 322 of the engagement protrusion 320, and the engagement elastic part 220 may support the engagement protrusion 320 at the rear.

The maximum protrusion point 228 of the engagement elastic portion 220 refers to a point of the engagement elastic portion 220 that protrudes farthest from the fixing portion in the vertical direction Z, and the maximum protrusion point 322 of the engagement protrusion 320 refers to a point of the engagement elastic portion that protrudes farthest from the storage portion 300 in the vertical direction Z. The maximum protrusion point 322 of the engagement protrusion 320 is shown in fig. 7, and the maximum protrusion point 228 of the engagement elastic portion 220 is shown in fig. 9.

Referring to fig. 7, in the engagement protrusion 320, the inclined front pressing portion 321 may be positioned in front of the maximum protrusion point 322, the flat pressing portion 323 may be positioned behind the maximum protrusion point 322, and the rear pressing portion 324 may be positioned behind the flat pressing portion 323.

During the retraction of the storage part 300, the engagement elastic part 220 may be pressed by the rear pressing part 324 of the engagement protrusion 320. Thereafter, since the maximum protrusion point 228 of the engagement elastic portion 220 is supported on the flat pressing portion 323 of the engagement protrusion 320, the deformed state of the engagement elastic portion 220 can be maintained. Accordingly, during retraction of the storage part 300, the reaction force generated by engaging the elastic part 220 may be gradually provided.

When the maximum protrusion point 322 of the engagement protrusion 320 passes the maximum protrusion point 228 of the engagement elastic portion 220, the engagement elastic portion 220 gradually recovers while the front pressing portion 321 of the engagement protrusion 320 supports the engagement elastic portion 220.

In one example, referring to fig. 9, in the engagement elastic portion 220, the front inclined portion 227 may be positioned in front of the maximum protrusion point 228, and the rear inclined portion 229 may be positioned behind the maximum protrusion point 228.

The front inclined portion 227 may extend rearward from the front end of the engagement elastic portion 220, and may become closer to the storage portion 300 as the front inclined portion 227 is further away from the front end. That is, the front inclined part 227 may be formed to be inclined such that the protruding height thereof increases toward the maximum protrusion point 228.

In one example, the rear inclined portion 229 may extend rearward from the front inclined portion 227 and may be configured to move away from the storage portion 300 as the distance from the front inclined portion 227 increases. That is, the rear inclined part 229 may be formed to be inclined such that the protruding height thereof decreases rearward from the maximum protrusion point 228.

During the retraction of the storage part 300 into the detergent opening 15, the engagement protrusion 320 presses the front inclined part 227 to elastically deform the engagement elastic part 220. In a state where the storage part 300 is retracted into the detergent opening 15, the engagement protrusion 320 may be in contact with the rear inclined part 229 and supported by the rear inclined part 229.

In one example, the front slope 227 may have a longer and smoother slope than the rear slope 229. Fig. 15 illustrates a state in which the length L1 of the front inclined portion 227 is greater than the length L2 of the rear inclined portion 229.

Accordingly, the engagement elastic part 220 may provide a relatively low rate of reaction force to the engagement protrusion 320 during retraction of the storage part 300 so as not to interfere with the retraction process, and a relatively high rate of reaction force during extension of the storage part 300 so that unnecessary extension of the storage part 300 may be prevented.

In one example, referring to fig. 12, when the storage part 300 is fully retracted into the detergent opening 15, the maximum protrusion point 322 of the engagement protrusion 320 may be located behind the maximum protrusion point 228 of the engagement elastic part 220, and the engagement elastic part 220 may support the engagement protrusion 320 rearward.

That is, the engagement protrusion 320 may be pressed backward by engaging the elastic part 220, and thus the retracted state of the storage part 300 may be stably maintained. Further, when the user extends the storage part 300, as the storage part 300 starts to extend, the user can immediately recognize the reaction force caused by the engagement elastic part 220, so that the extension of the storage part 300 can be effectively recognized, and unnecessary extension of the storage part 300 can be restricted.

In one example, referring to fig. 8 to 9, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixing portion has a through hole 215 opened toward the one face of the storage portion 300. A central portion of the engagement elastic portion 220 may pass through the through hole 215 and protrude toward the storage portion 300.

The shape of the through hole 215 may vary and may penetrate the fixing portion. In the engagement elastic part 220, at least one of the front end and the rear end may be coupled to and fixed to the fixing part, and a central portion of the engagement elastic part 220 may pass through the through hole 215 and protrude toward the one face of the storage part 300.

The maximum protrusion point 228 of the engagement elastic portion 220 may be positioned at the center portion. Since the center portion passes through the through hole 215 and protrudes toward the storage portion 300, the protrusion distance of the engagement elastic portion 220 can be effectively increased, thereby promoting the deformation and recovery thereof by pressing the engagement protrusion 320. Fig. 10 to 12 illustrate a state in which the engagement elastic portion 220 protruding through the through hole 215 is pressed by the engagement protrusion 320 to be deformed and restored.

For example, when the fixing portion corresponds to the dispenser 200 and when the engagement elastic portion 220 protrudes through the through hole 215 of the dispenser 200, the total protruding length of the engagement elastic portion 220 may be increased as compared to the case where the engagement elastic portion 220 protrudes directly from the bottom surface of the dispenser 200, which may be advantageous for elastic deformation.

In one example, as shown in fig. 8 to 9, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, front and rear ends of the engagement elastic part 220 may be positioned on opposite sides of the storage part 300 with respect to the fixing part, and the engagement elastic part 220 may be bent such that a central part extending from the front and rear ends passes through the through hole 215.

For example, the fixing portion may correspond to the dispenser 200, the engagement elastic portion 220 may extend in the front-rear direction X, front and rear ends of the engagement elastic portion 220 may be positioned on the top surface of the dispenser 200, and a center portion of the engagement elastic portion 220 may pass through the through hole 215 and may extend from the top surface of the dispenser 200 toward the bottom surface of the dispenser 200.

The engagement elastic portion 220 may be configured such that the belt or the straight member is bent or curved. That is, the engagement elastic portion 220 has an empty space on the opposite side of the contact surface with the engagement protrusion 320, so that the engagement elastic portion 220 can be easily deformed and elastically restored by the pressing of the engagement protrusion 320.

In one example, referring to fig. 9, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fastening groove 233 may be defined at least one of front and rear of the through hole 215. The engagement elastic part 220 may be positioned such that at least one of the front and rear ends thereof overlaps the fastening groove 233, and the engagement elastic part 220 may be penetrated by the fastening member 235 (which is inserted into the fastening groove 233) and coupled to the fixing part.

The fastening groove 233 may be defined to overlap with a front end or a rear end of the engagement elastic portion 220 in the vertical direction Z since it is defined at least one of front and rear of the through hole 215. The fastening member 235 may couple the engagement elastic portion 220 with the fixing portion by penetrating the end of the engagement elastic portion 220 overlapped with the fastening groove 233 and inserting into the fastening groove 233. The fastening member 235 may have a length like a bolt, may be inserted into the fastening groove 233, and may be easily coupled to the fastening groove 233 and removed from the fastening groove 233.

In one example, as shown in fig. 9, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a fastening part 230 and a cover 221.

The fastening part 230 may be provided in the fixing part and protrude in the insertion direction of the fastening member 235, and the fastening groove 233 may be defined at the center of the fastening part 230. Since the fastening groove 233 is defined in the fastening member 235 protruding from the fixing portion, the length of the fastening groove 233 into which the fastening member 235 can be inserted can be easily ensured.

The cover 221 may be disposed on at least one of the front and rear ends of the engagement elastic part 220. That is, the cover 221 may be disposed at one end of the engagement elastic portion 220 overlapping the fastening groove 233.

The cover 221 may define a space therein, and an outer circumferential surface 223 thereof may be disposed to surround an outer circumferential surface of the fastening part 230. That is, the fastening part 230 may be coupled to be inserted into the cover 221.

In the cover 221 into which the fastening part 230 is inserted, the top surface 224 may be penetrated by the fastening member 235. Accordingly, since the fastening part 230 protruding from the fixing part is inserted into the cover 221 and the cover 221 is coupled with the fastening part 230 by the fastening member 235, the cover 221 may have a stable coupling structure coupled with the fastening part 230.

In one example, as shown in fig. 8 to 9, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, fastening grooves 233 may be defined in front of and behind the through holes 215, respectively. The front and rear ends of the engagement elastic part 220 may be coupled to the fastening grooves 233 overlapped with the front and rear ends, respectively, so that the positions of the front and rear ends of the engagement elastic part 220 may be fixed. Further, the central portion may be elastically deformed. Therefore, although the central portion is elastically deformed, since the front and rear ends are fixed, the joint elastic portion 220 can be implemented in a stable structure.

In one example, fig. 13 illustrates a state in which the front end of the engagement elastic portion 220 is configured to be slidable and the cover 221 is formed at the rear end of the engagement elastic portion 220. Fig. 14 illustrates the engagement elastic portion 220 and the engagement protrusion 320 of fig. 13 together, and fig. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the engagement elastic portion 220 of fig. 13.

As described above, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the engagement elastic portion 220 may be configured such that one of the front end and the rear end is coupled to the fastening groove 233, while the other is slidable on the fixing portion.

When both the front end and the rear end of the engagement elastic portion 220 are fixed to a fixing portion such as the dispenser 200, coupling stability between the engagement elastic portion 220 and the fixing portion can be improved. As shown in fig. 13, one of the front end and the rear end is provided to be slidable on the fixed portion, the amount of elastic deformation of the center portion can be increased.

That is, when the engagement elastic portion 220 is pressed and deformed by the engagement protrusion 320, the slidable end of the engagement elastic portion 220 may slide away from the center of the engagement elastic portion 220 to satisfy the variation of the protruding height of the engagement elastic portion 220.

Therefore, in the engagement elastic portion 220 whose front end or rear end is configured to be slidable, the amount of variation in the height of the protrusion allowed on the same through hole 215 can be increased. Accordingly, design restrictions such as the height of the engagement protrusion 320 may be reduced, the elastic force transmitted from the engagement elastic portion 220 to the engagement protrusion 320 may be reduced, so that smooth extension and retraction of the storage portion 300 may be caused.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the engagement elastic portion 220 may be configured such that a rear end thereof is coupled to the fastening groove 233 and a front end thereof is slidable on the fixing portion.

Referring to fig. 13 to 15, in the engagement elastic portion 220, the rear end is fixed, and the front end forms a slidable sliding end 222. Therefore, it can receive a larger amount of deformation during extension than during retraction of the storage part 300.

That is, the engagement elastic portion 220 may provide a greater reaction force to the engagement protrusion 320 during the extension of the storage portion 300. Thus, the reaction force is reduced during retraction of the reservoir 300, thereby providing a compliant sense of retraction.

During the extension, the fixing force to the retracted storage part 300 may be increased and a large amount of deformation caused by the engagement protrusion 320 may be accepted, so that a large reaction force may be provided and may be maintained during the extension and stable retraction states of the storage part 300.

In one example, referring to fig. 13-15, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a guide 238.

The guide 238 may be provided in the fixing portion, and the center thereof may be penetrated in the front-rear direction X by the front sliding end 222 of the engagement elastic portion 220.

The center portion of the guide 238 is penetrated in the front-rear direction X by the sliding end 222 of the engagement elastic portion 220, and the guide 238 fixes the position of the sliding end 222 while surrounding the sliding end 222 of the engagement elastic portion 220.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front end of the engagement elastic portion 220 is configured to be slidable, and the front end of the engagement elastic portion 220 is not deviated from the sliding region by using the guide 238, thereby ensuring structural stability.

In one example, fig. 16 illustrates the sagging prevention elastic part 510 viewed from the outside of the dispenser 200 during the extension of the storage part 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 17 is an enlarged view of the sagging prevention elastic part 510 and the sagging prevention protrusion 520 in fig. 16.

Further, fig. 18 illustrates the position of the sagging prevention elastic part 510 in the fixing part, and fig. 19 illustrates the position of the sagging prevention protrusion 520 in the storage part 300.

Referring to fig. 16 and 19, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include: a sagging-preventing elastic part 510 provided at a front end of the fixing part and protruding toward a top surface of the storage part 300; and a sagging prevention protrusion 520 provided on the top surface of the storage part 300, protruding toward the fixing part, and spaced apart from the sagging prevention elastic part 510 by a set protruding distance rearward.

The sagging-preventing elastic part 510 may be provided at the front end of the fixing part. Further, the sagging-preventing elastic parts 510 may protrude toward the top surface of the storage part 300 like the engaging elastic parts 220, and may be elastically deformed and restored. The sagging prevention protrusion 520 may be provided on the top surface of the storage part 300 and may protrude toward the fixing part.

During the extension of the storage part 300, when the center of gravity of the storage part 300 is positioned outside the detergent opening 15 based on the front-rear direction X, the front end of the storage part 300 may be inclined downward by its own load.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the sagging prevention protrusion 520 and the sagging prevention elastic part 510 are disposed, the sagging prevention protrusion 520 may prevent sagging of the storage part 300 by pressing and closely contacting the sagging prevention elastic part 510 in a state where the storage part 300 is extended by a set extension distance.

That is, the sagging prevention elastic parts 510 may prevent sagging of the storage part 300 by pressing and supporting the sagging prevention protrusions 520 overlapped in the vertical direction Z. The set protrusion distance refers to a protrusion distance of the storage part 300 that is set in advance so that a user can conveniently use the storage part 300 even if the storage part 300 is not completely separated from the detergent opening 15.

The sagging-preventing elastic part 510 is positioned in a fixing part, for example, at the front end of the dispenser 200, to overlap the sagging-preventing protrusion 520 on the storage part 300 in the extended state, and is advantageous in providing an elastic force.

Further, as shown in fig. 19, the sagging prevention protrusion 520 may be provided to be spaced apart from the front end of the storage part 300 by the set protruding distance. That is, the protrusion distance at which the sagging-preventing protrusion 520 and the sagging-preventing elastic part 510 are physically overlapped during the protrusion process corresponds to the protrusion distance set according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

That is, as shown in fig. 19, the separation distance P from the front end of the storage part 300 to the sagging prevention protrusion 520 may correspond to the set protrusion distance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

When the storage part 300 protrudes from the detergent opening 15 by a set protruding distance, the sagging-preventing protrusion 520 may be positioned under the sagging-preventing elastic part 510 and pressed and supported by the sagging-preventing elastic part 510.

The user can recognize the set protrusion distance by recognizing the resistance or reaction force generated by the sagging prevention protrusion 520 and the sagging prevention elastic part 510 overlapping each other during the protrusion of the storage part 300 and recognizing (identifying) the use appropriateness. Further, as will be described later, the storage part 300 may be protruded by a set protrusion distance, and may even be used by restriction of the protrusion by the engagement part 353 and the stopper 250.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the engagement protrusion 320 may be provided on the top surface of the storage part 300, and the sagging prevention protrusion 520 may be positioned in front of the engagement protrusion 320 and the engagement elastic part 220.

Referring to fig. 18, the sagging-preventing elastic part 510 positioned at the front end of the fixing part may be positioned in front of the engaging elastic part 220. Further, referring to fig. 19, the sagging prevention protrusion 520 may be positioned in front of the engagement protrusion 320.

Further, referring to fig. 18 and 19, during retraction and extension of the storage part 300, the sagging prevention protrusion 520 may be positioned in front of the engagement elastic part 220. Accordingly, the sagging prevention protrusion 520 can be prevented from unnecessarily contacting the engagement elastic part 220.

In one example, as will be described later, the engagement portion 353 and the stopper 250 may be arranged to limit the protrusion distance of the storage portion 300 to the set protrusion distance. The engagement portion 353 may protrude from the storage portion 300 toward a fixing portion (e.g., the dispenser 200), and the stopper 250 may be disposed in the fixing portion and protrude toward the storage portion 300.

During the extension of the storage part 300, when the movement of the engagement part 353 is restricted by the stopper 250, the extension of the storage part 300 may be restricted. Further, in a state where the engagement portion 353 and the stopper 250 are in contact with each other, the sagging prevention protrusion 520 may be positioned under the sagging prevention elastic portion 510 and pressed.

Further, the engagement portion 353 may be positioned parallel to the sagging prevention protrusion 520 along the width direction Y of the storage portion 300, and the stopper 250 may be positioned parallel to the sagging prevention elastic portion 510. The stopper 250 and the sagging-preventing elastic part 510 may be disposed in the front of the bottom surface of the dispenser 200.

In one example, fig. 19 illustrates the storage part as viewed from above, and fig. 20 illustrates a state in which the detergent tank 310 is separated from the storage part 300.

Referring to fig. 19 and 20, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage part 300 includes a storage part frame 390, a detergent tank 310 having a cover member 330, and an auxiliary detergent container 340.

The top surface of the storage part frame 390 is opened, and the storage part frame 390 is received into the cabinet 10 through the detergent opening 15. That is, in a state where the detergent tank 310 is coupled to or seated on the storage part frame 390, the storage part frame 390 may be retracted (retracted) or extended by sliding through the detergent opening 15.

The feeder housing 400 shown in fig. 4 may be installed in the detergent opening 15. The reservoir frame 390 may be supported by the feeder housing 400 and may be retracted by sliding into the detergent opening 15.

The detergent tank 310 may include a housing 339 and a cover member 330. The top surface of the case 339 may be opened and the detergent may be stored in the case 339. Further, the cover member 330 may be detachably coupled to the open top surface of the housing 339.

The case 339 of the detergent tank 310 may have a shape extending in the front-rear direction X, and the storage part frame 390 may also have a shape extending in the front-rear direction X. The cover member 330 may have a groove defined therein, which extends along an edge of the cover member 330, and one end of a sidewall of the case 339 may be inserted into the groove and detachably coupled to the cover member 330.

The detergent tank 310 may include a plurality of detergent tanks. Fig. 19 and 20 illustrate that two detergent tanks 310 arranged parallel to each other in the lateral direction Y are inserted into a storage part frame 390 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The detergent tank 310 may be received into the detergent opening 15 or protrude from the detergent opening 15 when inserted into the storage part frame 390.

In one example, the auxiliary detergent container 340 may be disposed in the reservoir frame 390. The auxiliary detergent container 340 may be separately manufactured and coupled to the reservoir frame 390, or may be integrally molded with the reservoir frame 390.

The top surface of the auxiliary detergent container 340 is opened so that the auxiliary detergent can be supplied and stored by a user. The auxiliary detergent is not necessarily different from the detergent stored in the detergent tank 310, but may store a detergent having different properties from those of the detergent in the detergent tank 310 depending on the user's need to improve washing efficiency.

In some cases, the user may store not the detergent in the detergent tank 310 but the detergent in the auxiliary detergent container 340 and supply the detergent into the drum 30 during the washing process.

The auxiliary detergent container 340 may include a front wall and a side wall. The auxiliary detergent may be injected and stored into the detergent storage space surrounded by the front wall and the side walls. The front wall and the side wall of the auxiliary detergent container 340 may be integrally molded with the reservoir frame 390 or manufactured separately in a coupled relationship with the reservoir frame 390.

The auxiliary detergent container 340 may be disposed adjacent to the detergent tank 310. For example, the detergent tank 310 may surround the front and side portions of the auxiliary detergent container 340, and may be in contact with the front and side walls of the auxiliary detergent container 340.

Fig. 19 and 20 illustrate a state in which the auxiliary detergent container 340 is disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the detergent tank 310 in the lateral direction Y according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In one example, fig. 21 is a view of the cover member 330 of the detergent tank 310 viewed from below, and fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the storage part 300 in fig. 19 taken along line B-B.

Referring to fig. 21 and 22, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cover member 330 may include a flange portion 333. The flange portion 333 may extend from the top surface of the case 339 along the top surface of the auxiliary detergent container 340.

In particular, the flange portion 333 may correspond to a protrusion of the cover member 330 extending parallel to the top surface of the housing 339. The flange portion 333 may be formed on all or only a part of the edge of the cover member 330.

The flange part 333 may be configured to extend from the cover member 330, span an upper space defined by the front wall and the side wall of the auxiliary detergent container 340, and may extend along at least a portion of the front wall and the side wall of the auxiliary detergent container 340.

The flange portion 333 may include a clamp portion 332. The clamping portion 332 may be provided with a protrusion 331 protruding downward from an extended end of the flange portion 333. Since the clamp portion 332 is configured as a part of the flange portion 333, the clamp portion 332 is configured to protrude from the top surface of the case 339.

The user can grasp the grip 332 to separate the cover member 330 from the detergent tank 310. The grip 332 protrudes parallel to the top surface of the housing 339 so that the user can easily grasp the grip 332.

Further, a protrusion 331 may be provided at one end of the grip 332 in the extending direction from the cover member 330, and the protrusion 331 may protrude downward. Fig. 21 illustrates the clamping portion 332 with the projection 331 formed downwardly as part of the flange portion 333.

Fig. 22 illustrates a cross section of the grip 332, on which a protrusion 331 is formed, which extends away from the top surface of the housing 339 to be positioned at the open top surface of the auxiliary detergent container 340 and protrude downward. Fig. 23 illustrates an enlarged view of region D in fig. 22.

The grip 332 may have a protrusion 331 protruding downward to be advantageously gripped by a user. That is, when the user grips the grip 332, the fingers are gripped by the protrusions 331 protruding downward, so that the user can grip the grip 332 effectively.

In one example, the clamp 332 is provided at a flange 333 extending from the top surface of the housing 339 toward the top surface of the auxiliary detergent container 340. That is, the grip 332 is positioned above the auxiliary detergent container 340, while preventing the auxiliary detergent contained in the auxiliary detergent container 340 from splashing to the outside.

In particular, the detergent tank 310 and the auxiliary detergent container 340 are extended from or retracted into the detergent opening 15 together with the storage part frame 390.

In the auxiliary detergent container 340, the top surface thereof is opened by the movement generated in this process, and the inside auxiliary detergent may be splashed to the outside due to inertia or impact.

In particular, the detergent tank 310 and the auxiliary detergent container 340, together with the storage part frame 390, extend from the detergent opening 15 or retract into the detergent opening 15. Due to the movement generated during this process, the auxiliary detergent in the auxiliary detergent container 340 with the open top surface may be splashed to the outside due to inertia or impact.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may block the flow of the auxiliary detergent scattered or splashed from the auxiliary detergent container 340, and prevent the leakage of the auxiliary detergent since the flange part 333 and the grip part 332 of the cover member 330 extend above the auxiliary detergent container 340, i.e., on the open top surface of the auxiliary detergent container.

Further, since the grip 332 has a protrusion 331 protruding downward at an extended end thereof, the protrusion 331 serves to suppress the movement of the auxiliary detergent splashed from the auxiliary detergent container 340 to the outside.

For example, the auxiliary detergent splashed toward the grip 332 cannot be scattered outside by the extension surface 375 of the grip 332 and may be returned to the auxiliary detergent container 340, but may still have a fast speed during the return. Thus, the returned auxiliary detergent may cause additional scattering of the auxiliary detergent by applying impact or transmitting power to the auxiliary detergent in the auxiliary detergent container 340.

However, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the protrusion 331 protruding downward is provided on the grip 332, the flow of the auxiliary detergent, which is not leaked outward through the extension surface 375 of the grip 332, is again blocked by the protrusion 331 of the grip 332, so that the speed of the auxiliary detergent is greatly reduced. Thus, the power may be greatly reduced during the return of the scattered auxiliary detergent to the auxiliary detergent container 340, and stable return may be caused.

In one example, referring to fig. 19 to 21, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent tank 310 may be positioned in front of and beside the auxiliary detergent container 340, the flange part 333 may be positioned in front of and at sides of the top surface of the auxiliary detergent container 340, and the grip part 332 may be formed in front of the flange part 333 positioned at the front of the auxiliary detergent container 340.

In particular, the detergent tank 310 is positioned in front of and beside the auxiliary detergent container 340 such that the flange part 333 may be positioned on the top surface of the auxiliary detergent container 340. The detergent tank 310 may include a plurality of detergent tanks, and the plurality of detergent tanks may be disposed in front of and beside the auxiliary detergent container 340, respectively. Alternatively, at least one face of the detergent tank 310 may be bent such that one of the detergent tanks may be positioned in front of and beside the auxiliary detergent container 340.

Fig. 19 illustrates the following states according to an embodiment of the present disclosure: the auxiliary detergent container 340 is disposed between the two detergent tanks 310, and the detergent tank 310 has a shape with a front portion protruding such that a portion of the detergent tank 310 can be positioned in front of the auxiliary detergent container 340.

Based on the positional relationship between the detergent tank 310 and the auxiliary detergent container 340 as described above, the auxiliary detergent can be prevented from splashing forward and sideways of the auxiliary detergent container 340.

Also, the flange part 333 may have a grip part 332 formed at the front side of the auxiliary detergent container 340. Therefore, the clip portion 332 can more effectively prevent the auxiliary detergent from splashing forward of the auxiliary detergent container 340.

The storage part 300 moves in the front-rear direction X within the detergent opening 15 so that the auxiliary detergent is easily splashed forward. Accordingly, an embodiment of the present disclosure may effectively suppress leakage of the auxiliary detergent by disposing the grip portion 332 on the flange portion 333 at the front side of the auxiliary detergent container 340 (wherein the flange portion 333 is positioned at the front and side portions of the top surface of the auxiliary detergent container 340).

Also, in case that the storage part 300 is extended from the case 10 by a set extension distance or is fully extended, it is advantageous that the user grips the grip part 332 positioned at the front side of the auxiliary detergent container 340 so that the cover member 330 can be effectively separated from the case 339 of the detergent tank 310.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent tank 310 may include a detergent injection part 313, a connection part 315, and a detergent discharge part 317. The connection part 315 may be positioned beside the auxiliary detergent container 340, and the detergent injection part 313 may be positioned in front of the auxiliary detergent container 340.

The detergent injection part 313 may be positioned at a front end of the detergent tank 310, and may have a detergent injection hole 312 defined therein, and the detergent is injected into the detergent injection hole 312. The detergent injection hole 312 may be defined in the cover member 330. Since the detergent injection part 313 is provided at the front end of the detergent tank 310, the detergent can be injected into the detergent injection hole 312 even if the user protrudes the storage part 300 by the set protrusion distance as described above.

The connection part 315 may be positioned at the center of the detergent tank 310. That is, the connection part 315 may correspond to a portion connecting the detergent injection part 313 and the detergent discharge part 317 to each other. The detergent injection part 313, the connection part 315, and the detergent discharge part 317 may be manufactured independently of each other. Fig. 19 and 20 illustrate a detergent tank 310 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a detergent injection part 313, a connection part 315, and a detergent discharge part 317 are integrally formed.

The detergent injected through the detergent injection part 313 may be stored together in the connection part 315 and the detergent discharge part 317 and in the detergent injection part 313, and may be supplied into the drum 30 through a detergent valve 380, which will be described later, of the detergent discharge part 317 during washing.

The auxiliary detergent container 340 may be disposed in the vicinity of the connection part 315 of the detergent tank 310 in the lateral direction Y. Further, as shown in fig. 19, the detergent injection part 313 is configured to protrude in the lateral direction Y as compared to the connection part 315, and may be positioned in front of the auxiliary detergent container 340.

In particular, the detergent injection part 313 may have a width greater than that of the connection part 315, and a portion of the detergent injection part 313 may protrude in the lateral direction Y as compared to the connection part 315. That is, the detergent injection part 313 may include a lateral protrusion protruding in the lateral direction Y as compared to the connection part 315.

The auxiliary detergent container 340 may be positioned behind the protrusion of the detergent injection part 313, and the grip part 332 may be formed to extend rearward from the detergent injection part 313. That is, the grip 332 may be disposed at a lateral protrusion protruding from the detergent injection part 313 in the lateral direction Y, compared to the connection part 315.

As described above, the detergent tank 310 may be effectively positioned beside and in front of the auxiliary detergent container 340 by the shape of the detergent tank 310 and the arrangement of the auxiliary detergent container 340, and the auxiliary detergent of the auxiliary detergent container 340 may be prevented from leaking by the flange part 333 and the grip part 332.

Further, a vent hole 360, which will be described later, may be defined in the top surface of the detergent injection part 313 in the detergent tank 310, that is, in a portion corresponding to the top surface of the detergent injection part 313 in the cover member 330.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the grip 332 is provided in the detergent injection part 313, when the user separates the detergent tank 310 from the storage part frame 390, the user lifts the detergent tank 310 while grasping the grip 332. Thereby, the detergent injection part 313 in which the vent hole 360 is defined is first lifted up, so that the detergent can be prevented from leaking through the vent hole 360 during the separation of the detergent tank 310.

In one example, fig. 48 illustrates the back surface of the storage part frame 390 in a state in which the detergent tank 310 is inserted. Referring to fig. 48, the sensor terminal 610 and the detergent valve 380 may be arranged to protrude on the rear surface of the detergent tank 310.

In particular, a capacity sensor for measuring the capacity of the detergent may be installed on the rear surface of the detergent tank 310, and a sensor terminal 610 of the capacity sensor may protrude rearward from the rear surface of the detergent tank 310.

In addition, as will be described later, the detergent valve 380 may be installed at the rear surface of the detergent tank 310 so as to protrude. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensor terminal 610 may be positioned in an upper portion of the rear surface of the detergent tank 310, and the detergent valve 380 may be positioned in a lower portion of the rear surface of the detergent tank 310.

The rear surface of the storage part frame 390 may face the rear surface of the detergent tank 310, and a portion of the storage part frame 390 corresponding to the sensor terminal 610 and the detergent valve 380 of the detergent tank 310 may be opened. In one example, the holder 620 is provided to extend at a portion between the sensor terminal 610 and the detergent valve 380, and may be provided on the rear surface of the reservoir frame 390.

The holding part 620 may have a shape extending along the width direction Y of the storage part frame 390, and the rear surface of the storage part frame 390 may have a shape of two partial openings above and below the holding part 620 as shown in fig. 48.

When the user grasps the grip portion 332 and lifts the detergent tank 310 from the storage portion frame 390, since the movement of the detergent valve 380 in the upward direction is suppressed by the holding portion 620, the detergent injection portion 313 of the detergent tank 310 may be separated from the storage portion frame 390 earlier than the detergent discharge portion 317, and the leakage of the detergent through the vent hole 360 may be further suppressed.

In one example, referring to fig. 19, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent tank 310 may include a pair of detergent tanks, and the pair of detergent tanks 310 may be disposed adjacent to each other in the lateral direction Y. The respective surfaces of the detergent injection part 313 facing each other may contact each other, the respective connection parts 315 may be spaced apart from each other, and the auxiliary detergent container 340 may be positioned between the respective connection parts 315 of the pair of detergent tanks 310.

Accordingly, the auxiliary detergent container 340 may be positioned to be surrounded by the pair of detergent tanks 310 on one plane. Further, when the auxiliary detergent container 340 is disposed in the inner space of the storage part frame 390, the pair of detergent tanks 310 can secure a sufficient space and promote a detergent storage capacity.

In one example, the flange part 333 may be provided by being divided into a front part and a side part of the top surface of the auxiliary detergent container 340. However, as shown in fig. 21, the flange part 333 may continuously extend along the front and side parts of the top surface of the auxiliary detergent container 340.

Further, referring to fig. 21, in the flange part 333, a front part provided in a front part of the top surface of the auxiliary detergent container 340 may extend toward the auxiliary detergent container 340 longer than a side part provided in a side part of the top surface of the auxiliary detergent container 340.

As described above, when considering the moving path of the storage part 300, the auxiliary detergent container 340 has a higher possibility of leakage of the auxiliary detergent at the front than at the side. Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front portion of the flange portion 333 is formed longer than the side portion, so that leakage of the auxiliary detergent from the auxiliary detergent container 340 in the forward direction can be effectively suppressed.

A front portion of the flange portion 333 may correspond to the clamp portion 332. Fig. 21 illustrates a state in which the extension length L4 of the front portion is greater than the extension length L3 of the side portion.

In one example, fig. 24 illustrates an enlarged view of the region C in fig. 19, and illustrates the joint 353 provided on the storage part 300. Further, the bottom surface of the dispenser 200 is illustrated in fig. 25, and a stopper 250 provided on the bottom surface of the dispenser 200 is illustrated.

Fig. 26 illustrates an enlarged view of region E in fig. 25, and a stopper 250 of the dispenser 200 is shown in region E. The stopper 250 and the engagement portion 353 are shown together in fig. 27.

Referring to fig. 24 to 27, an embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a stopper 250 and an engagement portion 353. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the dispenser 200 is disposed within the case 10, i.e., the detergent opening 15, and is disposed to face the top surface of the storage part 300.

The stopper 250 may be provided on the dispenser 200 and protrude downward toward the storage part 300. The stopper 250 may be provided on the bottom surface of the dispenser 200, and may be provided such that the above-described engagement elastic portion 220 and the sagging-preventing elastic portion 510 are not overlapped in the front-rear direction X. That is, the stopper 250 may be provided to be spaced apart from the engagement elastic portion 220 and the sagging-preventing elastic portion 510 in the lateral direction Y.

The engagement portion 353 may be provided on the storage portion 300 and may protrude upward toward the dispenser 200. The engagement portion 353 may be provided so as not to overlap the engagement protrusion 320 in the front-rear direction X. For example, the engagement protrusion 320 may be provided on a side wall of the reservoir frame 390, and the engagement portion 353 may be provided at the center of the reservoir frame 390 based on the lateral direction Y.

The stopper 250 may be disposed parallel to the joint 353 along the front-rear direction X and overlapped with the joint 353. Thus, during the extension of the storage part 300, the stopper 250 may overlap the engagement part 353, whereby the movement may be restricted.

Further, in a state in which the storage part 300 is retracted into the detergent opening 15, the stopper 250 may be disposed to be spaced forward from the engagement part 353, and a separation distance between the stopper 250 and the engagement part 353 may correspond to the set extension distance as described above.

Thus, when the user protrudes the storage part 300 by grasping the handle 305 of the storage part 300 in a state where the storage part 300 is retracted into the detergent opening 15, the protrusion of the storage part 300 can be restricted when the engagement part 353 of the storage part 300 is in contact with the stopper 250 of the dispenser 200, and the user can store the detergent using the storage part 300 of the protrusion set protrusion distance.

That is, in a state where the engagement portion 353 is in contact with the stopper 250, the sagging prevention protrusion 520 of the storage portion 300 may overlap with the sagging prevention elastic portion 510 of the dispenser 200 in the vertical direction Z to prevent sagging of the storage portion 300.

Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view seen from the rear in a state where the engagement portion 353 is in contact with the stopper 250 as shown in fig. 27. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, due to the arrangement of the engagement portion 353 and the stopper 250, the user easily protrudes the storage portion 300 only by a set protrusion distance, so that the detergent feeder 100 can be effectively used.

In one example, referring to fig. 27, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, an elastic lever 350 may be further included in the storage part 300, and in a state in which the storage part 300 is extended by a set extension distance, the elastic lever 350 may be exposed outside the detergent opening 15 and the front end of the storage part 300.

In particular, the elastic lever 350 may have a rear end fixed to the storage part 300, and a front end thereof may form a free end. Accordingly, the elastic lever 350 may be elastically deformed, and the front end thereof may be moved in the vertical direction Z with respect to the rear end. This may be accomplished by the user pressing the front end of the resilient lever 350.

The engagement portion 353 may protrude upward at a position between the front end and the rear end of the elastic lever 350. Thereby, when the engagement portion 353 is in contact with the stopper 250 and the extension of the storage portion 300 is restricted, the front end of the elastic lever 350 positioned in front of the engagement portion 353 may be exposed to the outside of the detergent opening 15, which facilitates the user to press the front end of the elastic lever 350.

The user can separate the engagement portion 353 downward from the stopper 250 by pressing the front end of the elastic lever 350 exposed to the front of the detergent opening 15. As will be described later, the user can completely extend and separate the storage part 300 from the detergent opening 15 while releasing the extension restriction based on the set extension distance.

In one example, fig. 29 illustrates an elastic lever 350 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a state of being moved downward when a pressing portion 352 of a front end is pressed.

Referring to fig. 27 and 29, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage part 300 may have a deformation space 359 defined below the front end of the elastic rod 350. The elastic lever 350 may have a pressing portion 352 for a user to press on the top surface of the front end. The front end may be elastically deformed to move toward the deformation space 359 by the pressing force transmitted to the pressing portion 352.

The storage part 300 may have a deformation space 359, and the elastic rod 350 is positioned on the deformation space 359. The elastic lever 350 may have a pressing portion 352 for a user to press at a front end thereof. As shown in fig. 27, a groove may be defined in the pressing portion 352 to facilitate pressing by a user.

The deformation space 359 may be positioned under the elastic rod 350, and the width thereof may correspond to the elastic rod 350. The rear end of the elastic rod 350 may be coupled with the storage part 300 above the deformation space 359 or behind the deformation space 359.

The front end of the elastic lever 350, where the pressing portion 352 is pressed, may be positioned in the deformation space 359. The elastic lever 350 may be elastically deformed such that the front end thereof moves downward when the pressing portion 352 is pressed. In this case, the engagement portion 353 protruding upward from the elastic lever 350 may also move downward. Therefore, the engagement portion 353 and the stopper 250 do not overlap each other based on the front-rear direction X, so that the user can fully extend the storage portion 300.

As a whole, a portion or rear end of the elastic rod 350 may be elastically deformed, and a front end of the elastic rod 350 may be moved downward to be positioned in the deformation space 359.

In one example, referring to fig. 27, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the elastic lever 350 may include an upward extension 358, the rear end of the elastic lever 350 extends upward from a coupling point with the storage 300 at the upward extension 358, and the front end of the elastic lever 350 may extend forward from the upward extension 358 to form a free end.

In particular, the resilient bar 350 may be positioned by the upward extension 358 to be spaced upward from the bottom surface of the reservoir 300 (i.e., the reservoir frame 390). Accordingly, the front end of the elastic lever 350 may form a free end spaced apart from the bottom surface of the reservoir frame 390.

Further, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the elastic rod 350 may include a bent portion 356 positioned behind the joint 353 and bent in the vertical direction Z.

Fig. 27 illustrates a bent portion 356 bent to protrude downward. The bent portion 356 may be formed in a bent or curved shape such that the front end of the elastic rod 350 may be easily moved in the vertical direction Z.

That is, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, while the front end of the elastic lever 350 maintains its rigid shape, the bending portion 356 may be deformed when the pressing portion 352 is pressed, so that the front end of the elastic lever 350 may move downward.

Unlike the front end or the rear end of the elastic rod 350, the bent portion 356 may be made of a material having high elasticity, or may be integrally molded with the front end and the rear end as a whole of the elastic rod 350 and formed in a curved shape.

Referring back to fig. 19, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the engagement portion 353 is positioned at the rear of the auxiliary detergent container 340 such that the auxiliary detergent container 340 may be exposed to the outside of the detergent opening 15 in a state where the storage portion 300 is extended and the engagement portion 353 is in contact with the stopper 250.

As described above, since the position of the engagement portion 353 may correspond to a set protrusion distance with respect to the storage portion 300, the auxiliary detergent container 340 may be positioned in front of the engagement portion 353 so as to use the storage portion 300 even if the user protrudes the storage portion 300 by the set protrusion distance.

Thus, in a state in which the storage part 300 is extended by a set extension distance, the user may inject the detergent through the detergent injection hole 312 defined at the front of the detergent tank 310, or may inject the auxiliary detergent into the auxiliary detergent container 340 positioned at the rear of the detergent injection part 313.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the dispenser 200 may further include a guide protrusion 255. Fig. 26 illustrates an enlarged guide protrusion 255 seen from below, and fig. 27 and 28 illustrate the guide protrusion 255 inserted into the groove 354.

Referring to fig. 26 to 28, the guide protrusion 255 may extend rearward from the rear surface of the stopper 250, and may have a smaller width than the stopper 250. The engagement portion 353 may have a groove 354 defined at the center thereof in the width direction Y, and the guide protrusion 255 may be inserted into the groove 354 in a state where the storage portion 300 is protruded and the engagement portion 353 is in contact with the stopper 250.

In one example, fig. 30 illustrates a state in which the front end of the elastic lever 350 is caught by the stopper 250 in a state in which the guide protrusion 255 is removed. During the extension of the storage part 300, the front end of the elastic rod 350 protrudes forward to form a free end, and may be unintentionally caught by the stopper 250 according to the use environment.

In this case, the user becomes unable to extend the storage part 300 by a set extension distance, and the detergent tank 310 or the auxiliary detergent container 340 becomes unable to be exposed to the outside of the detergent opening 15, which makes it difficult for the user to use the device.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may include a guide protrusion 255 and a groove 354 to prevent the front end of the elastic rod 350 from interfering with the protrusion of the storage part 300 by contacting the stopper 250.

The guide protrusion 255 may have a smaller width than the stopper 250, and the groove 354 may have a width corresponding to the guide protrusion 255. The engagement portion 353 may have a greater width than the recess 354.

The guide protrusion 255 extends rearward from the rear surface of the stopper 250. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the elastic lever 350 from being accidentally positioned such that the front end overlaps the stopper 250.

For example, during extension of the storage part, the vertical height of the front end of the elastic lever 350 may be limited by the guide protrusion 255 before it reaches the stopper 250. Accordingly, the front end of the elastic lever 350, which has reached the stopper 250, is positioned at a lower vertical level than the stopper 250 by the guide protrusion 255, so that the front end of the elastic lever 350 is not in contact with the stopper 250.

In one example, the groove 354 is defined at the center of the engagement portion 353, and the engagement portion 353 moves forward in a state where the guide protrusion 255 is inserted into the groove 354 so that the movement is not restricted by the guide protrusion 255.

When the engaging portion 353 reaches the stopper 250, the engaging portion 353 having a width larger than the groove 354 and the stopper 250 having a width larger than the guide projection 255 overlap and contact. Accordingly, the engagement portion 353 may be entirely in contact with the stopper 250, and the extension of the storage portion 300 may be restricted at a set extension distance.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, as the guide protrusion 255 further away from the stopper 250, its protruding height from the fixing portion gradually decreases so that the bottom surface thereof may be inclined.

Fig. 26 illustrates the guide protrusion 255 having an inclined bottom surface as viewed from below, and fig. 27 illustrates a state in which the guide protrusion 255 having an inclined bottom surface is inserted into the groove 354.

Since the bottom surface of the guide protrusion 255 is inclined such that the protruding length or height thereof is reduced rearward, it is possible to effectively prevent the front end of the elastic lever 350 from being accidentally caught by the guide protrusion 255 and the movement thereof from being restricted. Further, since the front end of the elastic lever 350 is naturally guided along the inclined bottom surface to a lower vertical level than the stopper 250, an unexpected stacking condition of the elastic lever 350 can be effectively prevented.

In one example, fig. 31 illustrates a view of the detergent tank 310 seen from above, fig. 32 illustrates a view of the vent hole 360 of the detergent tank 310 seen from above, and fig. 33 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the vent hole 360 cut in the vertical direction Z.

Referring to fig. 31 to 33, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vent hole 360 may be defined in the detergent tank 310 for storing detergent therein, and inserted into the detergent opening 15 in the front-rear direction X.

In particular, the detergent tank 310 may have a storage space defined therein for storing detergent therein, and a vent hole 360 communicating the storage space with the outside may be defined in the top surface of the detergent tank 310. For example, the storage space may be defined in the case 339 of the detergent tank 310, and the vent hole 360 may be defined in the cover member 330 of the detergent tank 310.

In the vent hole 360, a center portion 362 between a lower end 361 facing the storage space and an upper end 363 facing the outside of the detergent tank 310 may extend parallel to the top surface of the detergent tank 310.

The lower end 361 of the vent hole 360 is open toward the storage space, and the upper end 363 of the vent hole 360 is open toward the outside of the detergent tank 310. The vent hole 360 may have a shape such that the central portion 362 extends parallel to the top surface of the detergent tank 310 due to the central axes of the upper end 363 and the lower end 361 being spaced apart from each other.

That is, as shown in fig. 33, the vent hole 360 may have a shape in which a center line extending in a cross section thereof is bent. Therefore, the leakage of the detergent in the detergent tank 310 to the outside can be effectively suppressed.

In particular, the user can move the detergent tank 310 back and forth along the detergent opening 15. During this process, the detergent in the detergent tank 310 may leak to the outside through the vent hole 360.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the vent hole 360 defines the center portion 362 extending parallel to the top surface of the detergent tank 310 between the upper end 363 and the lower end 361 in the vertical direction Z (extending), a region in which the storage space and the outside of the detergent tank 310 directly communicate with each other in the vertical direction Z can be minimized. Accordingly, leakage of the detergent out of the detergent tank 310 through the vent hole 360 can be minimized.

In one example, as shown in fig. 33, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper end 363 and the lower end 361 of the vent hole 360 may extend in the vertical direction Z of the detergent tank 310, and may be connected to both ends of the central part 362, respectively.

Thereby, a flow path of the detergent leaking from the storage part space of the detergent tank 310 to the outside may be bent several times, and the leakage of the detergent may be minimized.

Further, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the center portion 362 of the vent hole 360 may extend in a direction transverse to the front-rear direction X, for example, in the lateral direction Y of the detergent tank 310.

The detergent flow caused by the movement of the detergent tank 310 may have momentum in the front-rear direction X just like the detergent tank 310. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to minimize the leakage of the detergent flowing in the front-rear direction X to the outside through the upper end 363 while flowing through the central portion of the vent hole 360, the central portion 362 is provided to extend in a direction transverse to the front-rear direction X, for example, in the lateral direction Y, thereby reducing the leakage of the detergent.

In one example, fig. 32 illustrates an overlap region 369 in which the upper end 363 and the lower end 361 of the vent 360 overlap each other in the vertical direction Z. Referring to fig. 32, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the vent hole 360, an upper end 363 and a lower end 361 are overlapped with each other along a vertical direction Z to define an overlapped area 369 in which a reservoir space is exposed to the outside.

The scheme of manufacturing the cover member 330 or the vent hole 360 of the detergent tank 310 having the vent hole 360 defined therein may be various. For example, an injection molding scheme using an upper mold corresponding to the upper end 363 of the vent 360 and a lower mold corresponding to the lower end 361 may be used, or a process scheme in which both the upper end 363 and the lower end 361 of the vent 360 are perforated may be used.

In various aspects as described above, in order to define the vent hole 360 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is eventually necessary to add a process for defining the center portion 362 extending parallel to the top surface of the detergent tank 310. The process for processing the center portion 362 may be more difficult than other processes in consideration of the extending direction of the center portion 362 and the like.

However, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the overlap region 369 is set between the upper end 363 and the lower end 361 of the vent 360, the center portion 362 may be defined by machining the upper end 363 and the lower end 361.

For example, in the injection molding scheme, an upper mold for defining the upper end 363 of the vent hole 360 and a lower mold for defining the lower end 361 are arranged to partially overlap each other in the vertical direction Z even though their central axes are spaced apart from each other, so that the vent hole 360 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be processed.

Also in the perforated version, the upper end 363 and the lower end 361 of the vent 360 are perforated to a certain depth, respectively. As in an embodiment of the present disclosure, vent 360 having overlap region 369 may be machined when upper end 363 and lower end 361 are perforated to partially overlap each other.

As described above, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the center portion 362 parallel to the top surface of the detergent tank 310 is defined, and the overlapping region 369 in which the upper end 363 and the lower end 361 overlap each other is defined, so that the process for defining the ventilation holes 360 can be effectively and simply improved.

In one example, fig. 34 illustrates an interior of a housing 339 of a detergent tank 310 in which a plurality of flow blocking walls 370 are formed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 35 is a view illustrating the detergent tank 310 in fig. 34 cut along line G-G.

Referring to fig. 34 and 35, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a flow blocking wall 370 including a plurality of blocking walls disposed in the storage space and protruding from the inner face of the detergent tank 310 so as to block the detergent from flowing toward the vent hole 360.

The flow blocking wall 370 may be manufactured separately from the housing 339 of the detergent tank 310 and coupled to the housing 339, or may be integrally formed with the housing 339. The flow blocking wall 370 may include a plurality of blocking walls, may be coupled to the inner face of the detergent tank 310 to protrude from the inner face, and may inhibit the flow of the detergent stored in the detergent tank 310.

The kinetic energy of the detergent in the detergent tank 310 may be reduced by the flow blocking wall 370. Therefore, it is advantageous that the possibility of leakage of the detergent through the vent hole 360 can be reduced.

In one example, vent 360 may be defined at a front end of the top surface. The flow preventing wall 370 may include a first preventing wall 371 positioned behind the vent hole 360 and extending in a direction transverse to the front-rear direction X. The vent hole 360 may be positioned between the front surface of the detergent tank 310 and the first blocking wall 371.

In particular, the vent hole 360 may be defined on the top surface of the detergent tank 310, for example, at the front end of the cover member 330 of the detergent tank 310. As described above, the front end of the detergent tank 310 may correspond to the detergent injection part 313.

The first blocking wall 371 may be positioned behind the vent 360. Accordingly, the vent hole 360 may be defined between the front surface of the detergent tank 310 and the first blocking wall 371 based on the front-rear direction X. Accordingly, the flow of the detergent in the front-rear direction X may be blocked by the front surface of the detergent tank 310 and the first blocking wall 371, and leakage of the detergent through the vent hole 360 may be suppressed.

The first blocking wall 371 may extend in a direction transverse to the front-rear direction X. For example, the first blocking wall 371 extends parallel to the lateral direction Y, blocking the flow of the detergent in the front-rear direction X. The first blocking wall 371 may protrude upward from the bottom surface of the detergent tank 310, or may extend in the lateral direction Y from the side surface of the detergent tank 310.

In one example, as shown in fig. 34 and 35, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vent hole 360 may be positioned at an edge of a front end of the top surface connected with the side surface of the detergent tank 310.

Further, the flow preventing wall 370 may include a second preventing wall 372 positioned at an opposite side of the side near the vent hole 360 and extending in the front-rear direction X. The vent hole 360 may be positioned between a side of the detergent tank 310 and the second blocking wall 372.

Since the vent hole 360 is positioned at the edge of the front end, the flow of the detergent may be restricted by the front and side surfaces of the detergent tank 310, and the flow energy of the detergent toward the vent hole 360 may be reduced.

Further, a vent hole 360 may be defined between the second blocking wall 372 and a side of the detergent tank 310. The second blocking wall 372 may extend parallel to the front-rear direction X. Accordingly, the flow of the detergent in the lateral direction Y toward the vent hole 360 may be restricted by the second blocking wall 372 and the side of the detergent tank 310.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first blocking wall 371 is connected to a side surface and the second blocking wall 372 is connected to a front surface to divide the edge region 311 defining the vent hole 360 in the storage space.

The edge region 311 is shown in fig. 34 and 35. In the vent holes 360 defined in the edge region 311, the flow of the detergent in both the front and rear directions X and the lateral direction Y can be effectively blocked by the front and side surfaces of the detergent tank 310, the first blocking wall 371, and the second blocking wall 372.

Thereby, the flow of the detergent in the detergent tank 310 toward the vent hole 360, which is caused during the retraction and extension of the storage part 300 or during other manipulation, is blocked in all directions, so that leakage can be suppressed.

In one example, referring to fig. 34 and 35, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, respective sides of the first and second blocking walls 371 and 372 facing each other may be spaced apart from each other so that an open face 373 of the edge region 311 may be defined.

Since the open face 373 is defined between the first blocking wall 371 extending from the side of the detergent tank 310 and the second blocking wall 372 extending from the front of the detergent tank 310, the edge region 311 and the remaining region may communicate with each other in the storage space of the detergent tank 310.

For example, when the respective edges of the first blocking wall 371 and the second blocking wall 372 are coupled to each other, the communication area between the edge region 311 and the remaining region becomes small. Accordingly, the flow of air in the storage space through the vent hole 360 may be restricted, thereby deteriorating the function of the vent hole 360.

Thus, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, an open surface 373 is defined between the first blocking wall 371 and the second blocking wall 372, allowing a portion of the flow of the detergent to pass through the open surface 373 together with the flow of the air, so that the entire storage space can be conveniently used, and the function of the vent hole 360 can be maintained.

In one example, fig. 36 illustrates the third and fourth blocking walls 374, 376 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 37 illustrates a state in which the third blocking wall 374, the first blocking wall 371, and the second blocking wall 372 are arranged together.

Referring to fig. 36 and 37, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a third blocking wall 374 positioned closer to the vent hole 360 than the first blocking wall 371 and the second blocking wall 372, and having one face disposed to face the open face 373.

The third stop wall 374 may be positioned within the edge region 311, which may be defined by the first stop wall 371 and the second stop wall 372. That is, the third blocking wall 374 may be positioned closer to the vent hole 360 than the first and second blocking walls 371 and 372, and the one face of the third blocking wall 374 may be disposed to extend parallel to the open face 373 and face the open face 373.

That is, the third blocking wall 374 may be configured to reduce the flow energy of the detergent flowing through the open face 373 in the edge region 311. As described above, while the open face 373 is defined to ensure the flow of the detergent and the air, the third blocking wall 374 may be provided to block the flow of the detergent again to prevent the detergent from leaking through the vent hole 360 due to the very high flow energy of the detergent introduced through the open face 373.

In one example, referring to fig. 36 and 37, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third blocking wall 374 may include an extension surface 375 extending from the one surface and parallel to the first blocking wall 371 or the second blocking wall 372 while facing the first blocking wall 371 or the second blocking wall 372.

In particular, in the third blocking wall 374, an extension surface 375 extending from the one surface facing the open surface 373 of the edge region 311 may extend parallel to the first blocking wall 371 or the second blocking wall 372.

The extension surface 375 may extend from the third blocking wall 374 along the first blocking wall 371 or along the second blocking wall 372, and may include a pair of extension surfaces corresponding to the first blocking wall 371 and the second blocking wall 372, respectively.

Since the third blocking wall 374 has the extension surface 375, a restricted flow path through which the detergent and the air can flow may be defined between the extension surface 375 and the first blocking wall 371 or the second blocking wall 372, and the flow energy of the detergent may be further reduced by the restricted flow path.

In one example, fig. 34 illustrates a first blocking wall 371 and a second blocking wall 372 protruding from the bottom surface of the detergent tank 310, and fig. 36 illustrates a third blocking wall 374 protruding from the top surface of the detergent tank 310.

As in fig. 34 and 36, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first and second blocking walls 371 and 372 protrude from the bottom surface of the detergent tank 310, and protruding ends of the first and second blocking walls 371 and 372 are spaced apart from the top surface of the detergent tank 310. The third stop wall 374 may protrude from the top surface and its protruding end may be spaced apart from the bottom surface.

The first and second blocking walls 371 and 372 may protrude upward from the bottom surface of the case 339 of the detergent tank 310, and the third blocking wall 374 may protrude downward from the cover member 330 of the detergent tank 310.

In other words, the upper ends of the first and second blocking walls 371 and 372 may be spaced apart from the cover member 330, and the lower end of the third blocking wall 374 may be spaced apart from the bottom surface of the detergent tank 310 by design or manufacturing tolerances.

Thus, the detergent flowing into the edge region 311 may be partially allowed to flow beyond the upper ends of the first and second blocking walls 371 and 372 or beyond the lower end of the third blocking wall 374. However, since the flow path is formed to be bent in a zigzag shape in the vertical direction Z, the detergent may flow in a state where the flow energy is reduced.

In one example, as described above, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent tank 310 may include the detergent injection part 313, the detergent discharge part 317, and the connection part 315. Further, the storage space of the detergent tank 310 may extend from the detergent injection part 313 to the detergent discharge part 317 through the connection part 315.

Further, referring to fig. 31 and 36, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a fourth blocking wall 376, and the fourth blocking wall 376 may be disposed to face the connection portion 315 in the detergent injection portion 313 and may extend in a direction transverse to the front-rear direction X.

The fourth blocking wall 376 may block the flow of the detergent between the detergent injection part 313 and the connection part 315. The fourth blocking wall 376 may protrude downward from the cover member 330, and may be disposed on the detergent injection part 313 to face the connection part 315.

The fourth blocking wall 376 may extend in a direction transverse to the front-rear direction X. For example, the fourth blocking wall 376 may extend in the lateral direction Y, and may extend along the edge of the detergent injection hole 312 while forming a curved surface as shown in fig. 36.

Referring again to fig. 34, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a fifth blocking wall 377. The fifth blocking wall 377 may be provided in the connection part 315, and may extend transversely to the front-rear direction X.

The fifth blocking wall 377 may be provided in the case 339 of the detergent tank 310, and may block the detergent from flowing in the front-rear direction X from the connection part 315 extending in the front-rear direction X. Further, the fifth blocking wall 377 may be connected to a side of the connection part 315 and extend rearward in a direction further away from the side of the connection part 315.

That is, as the fifth blocking wall 377 extends in the lateral direction Y, the fifth blocking wall 377 may be inclined rearward. Accordingly, the fifth blocking wall 377 may more effectively block the detergent from flowing forward as the storage part 300 moves.

In one example, fig. 38 illustrates a detergent valve 380 coupled to a rear surface of a detergent tank 310 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 39 illustrates a state in which the detergent valve 380 in fig. 38 is rotated in a closed state by coupling.

Referring to fig. 38 and 39, an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a detergent valve 380 that is inserted and coupled to a valve hole 397 defined in a rear surface of a detergent tank 310, and the detergent valve 380 is rotated in a front direction in the valve hole 397 by a predetermined amount to be coupled to the valve hole 397.

Further, the detergent valve 380 may include a restriction protrusion 381, the restriction protrusion 381 protruding in a radial direction of the detergent valve 380 from a rear end 382 protruding rearward of the detergent tank 310. An embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a forward stopper 391 protruding rearward from the rear surface of the detergent tank 310 and positioned at a position along the forward path of the limiting protrusion 381 on the rotational path of the limiting protrusion 381.

In a state in which the detergent valve 380 is rotated by a predetermined amount, the restriction protrusion 381 may contact the forward stopper 391, so that the rotation of the restriction protrusion 281 may be restricted.

In particular, the detergent valve 380 is coupled to the detergent tank 310, and serves as a means for discharging the detergent in the detergent tank 310 to the outside. As will be described below, when the storage part 300 is completely retracted into the detergent opening 15 in a state of blocking the flow of the detergent, the detergent valve 380 may be pressurized by the inlet 426 of the detergent pump and may be in an opened state allowing the flow of the detergent.

The detergent valve 380 may be inserted into a valve hole 397 defined in the rear surface of the detergent tank 310. The detergent valve 380 inserted into the valve hole 397 may be coupled to the valve hole 397 in a closed state in which separation from the valve hole 397 is restricted as the detergent valve 380 rotates in a forward direction.

Fig. 38 illustrates the detergent valve 380 inserted into the valve hole 397 and in an open state, which is a state before the detergent valve 380 is rotated to a closed state. Fig. 39 illustrates a state in which the detergent valve 380 is rotated a certain amount in the forward direction from the opened state to the closed state in fig. 38.

The detergent valve 380 may be in a closed state when the detergent valve 380 rotates a certain amount in the one direction. A coupling scheme based on such rotation, a screw coupling scheme, an insert fastening scheme of protrusions and grooves as will be described later, and the like may be used.

In one example, the rear end 382 may be exposed by protruding toward the rear of the detergent tank 310 in a state where the detergent valve 380 is inserted into the valve hole 397. Further, a restricting protrusion 381 protruding in the radial direction of the detergent valve 380 may be provided at the rear end 382 of the detergent valve 380.

The number of the restricting projections 381 may be changed. Fig. 38 and 39 illustrate positioning two limit protrusions 381 on opposite sides of each other in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

To rotate the detergent valve 380 as needed, a user may grasp and rotate the detergent valve 380 using the restricting protrusion 381 or the clamping groove 384 defined at the rear end 382 of the detergent valve 380, as will be described below.

In one example, the forward stopper 391 may be provided on the rear surface of the detergent tank 310. The forward stopper 391 may protrude rearward from the rear surface of the detergent tank 310, and may be positioned on the rotational path of the restricting protrusion 381 in the forward direction.

In the opened state, the restriction protrusion 381 and the forward stopper 391 of the detergent valve 380 may be spaced apart from each other by a certain amount of rotation angle to be in the closed state.

That is, when the detergent valve 380 inserted into the valve hole 397 rotates a certain amount in the forward direction, the restriction protrusion 381 may come into contact with the forward stopper 391, so that the rotation of the restriction protrusion 381 may be restricted. Accordingly, although the user rotates the detergent valve 380 for the closed state of the detergent valve 380, since the excessive rotation can be prevented by the forward stopper 391, damage or leakage of the detergent valve 380 or other components can be prevented.

In one example, fig. 40 illustrates a valve hole 397 into which the detergent valve 380 is inserted and a coupling protrusion 396, and fig. 41 illustrates a coupling groove 385 defined in the detergent valve 380.

Referring to fig. 40 and 41, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent tank 310 includes a coupling protrusion 396 on an inner circumferential surface of the valve hole 397. The detergent valve 380 may have a coupling groove 385 defined in an outer circumferential surface thereof, the coupling protrusion 396 being slid and fixed through the coupling groove 385.

The coupling protrusion 396 may protrude from an inner circumferential surface of the valve hole 397 toward the detergent valve 380. The shape and number of the coupling protrusions 396 may be changed. Fig. 40 illustrates a state in which two coupling protrusions 396 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are positioned on opposite sides to each other. A coupling groove 385 may be defined in an outer circumferential surface of the detergent valve 380, and the coupling protrusion 396 may be slid and fixed in the coupling groove 385.

Accordingly, as the detergent valve 380 is inserted into the valve hole 397, the coupling protrusion 396 disposed in the valve hole 397 is inserted into the coupling groove 385. When the detergent valve 380 rotates in the forward direction, the coupling protrusion 396 moves to the extended end of the coupling groove 385. When the coupling protrusion 396 reaches the end of the coupling groove 385, the closed state may be implemented while restricting the rotation.

In this case, when the detergent valve 380 is excessively rotated in the forward direction, the coupling protrusion 396 may be damaged, or the coupling groove 385 may be damaged. Thus, the disconnection or rotation of the detergent valve 380 may become impossible or the re-coupling may become difficult.

An embodiment of the present disclosure includes a limiting protrusion 381 on the detergent valve 380 and a forward stopper 391 on the detergent tank 310, such that in addition to the rotation limitation based on the relationship between the coupling protrusion 396 and the coupling groove 385, the rotation limitation is performed by the limiting protrusion 381 and the forward stopper 391, thereby preventing damage to the coupling groove 385 or the coupling protrusion 396.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent valve 380 includes an insert 383 that is located forward of a rear end 382 that protrudes rearward of the detergent tank 310. The insertion part 383 may be inserted into the detergent tank 310, and the coupling groove 385 may be defined in an outer circumferential surface of the insertion part 383.

Thus, during insertion of the detergent valve 380, the coupling protrusion 396 of the valve hole 397 may be inserted and slid into the coupling groove 385 of the insertion portion 383, and the rear end 382 may be exposed to the outside and gripped by a user. The extension shape of the coupling groove 385 may be various, and its concave shape corresponds to the coupling protrusion 396.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rear end 382 of the detergent valve 380 may have a larger diameter than the insert 383, and the front surface thereof may be supported on the rear surface of the detergent tank 310.

In the detergent valve 380, the rear end 382 may have a larger diameter than the insert 383. That is, the detergent valve 380 may be formed such that the rear end 382 is stepped with respect to the insertion portion 383, and thus the insertion distance of the detergent valve 380 may be limited.

In addition, since the front surface of the rear end 382 is supported on the rear surface of the detergent tank 310, a stable fixing structure of the detergent valve 380 can be implemented.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rear end 382 of the detergent valve 380 may have a plurality of clamping grooves 384 spaced apart from each other along the peripheral direction. The rear end 382 of the detergent valve 380 may be exposed to the outside of the detergent tank 310, and the grip recess 384 may be defined to be easily grasped by a user.

The user can rotate the detergent valve 380 in the forward direction or the reverse direction by grasping the restriction protrusion 381 and the rear end 382 itself, at which the grip recess 384 is defined.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling groove 385 may include a straight moving part 386 and a rotating part 387. The front face of the front end of the straight moving part 386 may be opened forward, and the straight moving part 386 may extend rearward from the front end. The rotating portion 387 extends from the rear end of the linear moving portion 386 in the opposite direction to the forward direction.

The detergent valve 380 may be inserted into the valve hole 397 so that the coupling protrusion 396 slides in the straight moving portion 386. The coupling protrusion 396 may be rotated in a forward direction so as to slide in the rotating portion 387 while being coupled to the valve hole 397.

Based on the shape of the coupling groove 385 as described above, a detailed description of the coupling process of the detergent valve 380 is as follows.

First, fig. 42 illustrates the detergent valve 380 beginning to be inserted into the valve hole 397. In the case where the straight moving portion 386 of the coupling groove 385 and the coupling protrusion 396 are aligned to be positioned on a straight line in the front-rear direction X, the detergent valve 380 may be inserted into the valve hole 397. In this process, the coupling protrusion 396 may slide along the linear moving portion 386 of the coupling groove 385.

In one example, fig. 43 illustrates a state in which the detergent valve 380 of fig. 42 is completely inserted into the valve hole 397. The detergent valve 380 may be straightly moved such that the front surface of the rear end 382 contacts the rear surface of the detergent tank 310, so that the detergent valve 380 may be inserted into the valve hole 397. In this state, the coupling protrusion 396 may still be positioned in the linear moving portion 386 of the coupling groove 385.

In one example, fig. 44 illustrates a state in which the detergent valve 380 in fig. 43 is rotated in a forward direction and is in a closed state. The detergent valve 380 may be rotated in a forward direction in a state where the detergent valve 380 is completely inserted such that the front surface of the rear end 382 contacts the rear surface of the detergent tank 310.

When the detergent valve 380 is rotated in the forward direction, the coupling protrusion 396 may move along the rotating portion 387 from the straight moving portion 386 of the coupling groove 385. As the detergent valve 380 is rotated in the forward direction, the coupling protrusion 396 moves in the reverse direction with respect to the detergent valve 380, so that the rotating part 387 may extend in the reverse direction from the linear moving part 386.

The length of the rotating part 387 may be rotated in a forward direction by an amount corresponding to the detergent valve 380 so as to be in a closed state. That is, when the detergent valve 380 is rotated in the forward direction and the coupling protrusion 396 is positioned at one end of the rotating portion 387 of the coupling groove 385, the detergent valve 380 becomes a closed state and the coupling process is terminated.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the straight moving part 386 may extend rearward from the front end of the detergent valve 380, and the open front face may be positioned on the front face of the detergent valve 380.

Accordingly, when the straight moving part 386 and the coupling protrusion 396 are not aligned on a straight line, the insertion of the detergent valve 380 into the valve hole 397 may be restricted, and the user may effectively recognize the current alignment state of the detergent valve 380.

For example, when the opened front surface of the straight moving part 386 is spaced rearward from the front surface of the detergent valve 380, in a state in which the detergent valve 380 is partially inserted into the valve hole 397, since the coupling protrusion 396 and the coupling groove 385 are not aligned with each other, the detergent valve 380 cannot be further inserted. In this case, the alignment state of the coupling protrusion 396 and the coupling groove 385 may not be easily recognized by the user.

Thus, an embodiment of the present disclosure may allow insertion of the detergent valve 380 to be performed while a user can easily recognize an alignment state between the coupling protrusion 396 and the coupling groove 385 by naked eyes from the start of insertion of the detergent valve 380.

In one example, referring to fig. 43 and 44, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the coupling protrusion 396 is positioned at one end of the rotating portion 387, the forward stopper 391 may contact the limiting protrusion 381.

As described above, the contact between the restriction protrusion 381 and the forward stop 391 may assist in restricting rotation through the coupling protrusion 396 and the coupling groove 385. Accordingly, when the coupling protrusion 396 is positioned at one end of the rotating portion 387 in the coupling groove 385, since the forward stopper 391 restricts the rotation of the restricting protrusion 381, further rotation can be prevented, so damage to the coupling protrusion 396 and the like can be prevented.

In one example, fig. 45 illustrates a rear end 382 of a detergent valve 380 and a rotating portion 387 of a coupling groove 385 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 45, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the rotating portion 387, an entering portion 388 is defined between a rear end of the linear moving portion 386 and an end portion of the rotating portion 387. The access portion 388 may be defined to have a smaller width than the end of the rotating portion 387.

The access portion 388 may be defined in the rotating portion 387. That is, the entering portion 388 may be defined at a position of the rotating portion 387 connected to the linear moving portion 386. Further, the entering portion 388 may be defined to have a smaller width than the rotating portion 387. Thus, during the passage of the coupling protrusion 396 through the access 388, a resistance to movement may be generated.

By the entering portion 388, a user can feel the hindrance of the rotation of the detergent valve 380 at the start of the rotation, and can confirm that the coupling protrusion 396 has completely entered the rotating portion 387 based on the rotation in the forward direction of the detergent valve 380.

Further, when the coupling protrusion 396 is positioned at the end of the rotating portion 387, and when the detergent valve 380 is rotated in the opposite direction due to an unexpected cause, the entering portion 388 may interfere with the movement of the coupling protrusion 396. Thereby, the detergent valve 380 can be prevented from being accidentally rotated in the opposite direction to be shifted to the open state.

In one example, referring to fig. 45, the side of the entering portion 388 may be formed to be inclined such that the width thereof decreases toward the end of the rotating portion 387. That is, the entering portion 388 may be formed such that its width decreases in a direction away from the straight moving portion 386.

The sides that slope in the access portion 388 may be flat or curved. Further, an end of the entering portion 388 facing the rotating portion 387 may have a stepped shape in which the width discontinuously increases in relation to the rotating portion 387.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, by defining the entrance portion 388 such that a side thereof is inclined, the coupling protrusion 396 may be caused to enter the rotating portion 387 when the detergent valve 380 is rotated in the forward direction. Further, the access portion 388 may limit movement of the coupling protrusion 396 when the detergent valve 380 is unintentionally rotated in the opposite direction.

Referring again to fig. 38 and 39, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a reverse stop 392. The reverse stopper 392 may protrude rearward from the rear surface of the detergent tank 310, and may be positioned at a position along the reverse path of the limiting protrusion 381 on the rotational path of the limiting protrusion 381.

That is, an amount of rotation of an embodiment of the present disclosure in a forward direction of the detergent valve 380 is limited to be equal to or less than a certain amount (a certain amount) by the forward stopper 391, while at the same time, for the open state, also in a reverse direction of the detergent valve 380, excessive rotation of the detergent valve 380 is prevented by using the reverse stopper 392, thereby preventing damage of the coupling protrusion 396 and the like.

In one example, when the coupling protrusion 396 is positioned in the straight moving portion 386 in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the limiting protrusion 381 contacts the reverse stopper 392 so as to limit the rotation in the reverse direction.

In the reverse rotation of the detergent valve 380 from the closed state to the open state, the coupling protrusion 396 moves from the end of the rotating portion 387 toward the linear moving portion 386. When the coupling protrusion 396 enters the straight moving portion 386, the reverse stopper 392 restricts the rotation of the restricting protrusion 381 in the reverse direction, thereby preventing the coupling protrusion 396 from being pressed and damaged by the side surface of the straight moving portion 386.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a closing mark 393 may be printed at a location corresponding to the forward stop 391 and an opening mark 394 may be printed at a location corresponding to the reverse stop 392 at the back of the detergent tank 310.

The close flag 393 and the open flag 394 may be varied. For example, words indicating opening and closing may be printed in korean or english, or specific shapes such as unlocking, locking, etc. may be printed as shown in fig. 38 and 39. The printing scheme may be varied, such as engraving or embossing.

In a state in which the detergent valve 380 is inserted, a forward direction for a closed state of the detergent valve 380 or a reverse direction for an opened state may be unclear to a user. Accordingly, an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a forward stopper 391 and a reverse stopper 392 which restrict the rotation of the restricting protrusion 381, and a closing mark 393 and an opening mark 394 are printed on or around the forward stopper 391 and the reverse stopper 392, respectively, so that a forward direction or a reverse direction and an opened or closed state resulting therefrom can be effectively recognized to a user.

In one example, fig. 46 illustrates an internal cross-section of a detergent valve 380 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 47 illustrates a state in which an inlet 426 of a detergent pump according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is coupled to the detergent valve 380.

Referring to fig. 46 and 47, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the detergent tank 310 is retracted into the detergent opening 15, the detergent valve 380 may be connected to a detergent pump installed in the cabinet 10.

Fig. 46 is a view illustrating a state before the detergent tank 310 is retracted into the detergent opening 15, and fig. 47 is a view illustrating a state in which the detergent tank 310 is completely retracted into the detergent opening 15.

In a state where the detergent tank 310 is coupled to the storage part frame 390, the detergent tank 310 may slide within the detergent opening 15, and the inlet 426 of the detergent pump may be positioned behind the detergent opening 15.

The inlet 426 may be positioned to correspond to the detergent valve 380 in the front-to-rear direction X. Thus, as retraction of the reservoir 300 is terminated, the inlet 426 may be connected to the detergent valve 380.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent valve 380 may include a valve housing, a valve head 422, and an elastic member.

A space may be defined within the valve housing, in which the valve head 422 and the elastic member are disposed, and the valve head 422 may be pressed by the elastic member into close contact with the valve housing and cover the valve.

In particular, the resilient member may be positioned within the valve housing to urge the valve head 422 rearwardly. The valve head 422 may be pressed back into close contact with the valve support surface 424 of the valve housing.

Referring to fig. 46, a valve support surface 424 is provided around the rearward opening of the valve housing. When the valve head 422 is in close contact with the valve support surface 424, the flow of the detergent can be restricted since the rearward opening of the valve housing is covered.

In one example, as shown in fig. 47, when the detergent tank 310 is fully retracted into the detergent opening 15, the inlet 426 of the detergent pump presses the valve head 422 forward. The valve head 422, pressed through the inlet 426, moves forward to be spaced apart from the valve support surface 424. Accordingly, the rearward opening of the valve housing 10 is opened by the separation space between the valve support surface 424 and the valve head 422.

When the rear opening is opened, the detergent in the detergent tank 310 becomes a state capable of moving toward the inlet 426 of the detergent pump. Based on the operation state of the detergent pump, the detergent in the detergent tank 310 may flow toward the detergent pump.

While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in connection with the specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure as provided in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A laundry treating apparatus comprising:

a case having a detergent opening defined therein;

an outer tub installed in the case;

a drum rotatably installed in the outer tub; and

a storage unit for storing detergent therein, wherein the storage unit is accessible to the cabinet through the detergent opening,

wherein the storage unit includes:

a storage section frame accessible to the case through the detergent opening;

an auxiliary detergent container formed in the storage part frame and having a detergent storage space including an open top surface; and

a detergent tank detachably disposed adjacent to the auxiliary detergent container in the storage part frame, in which the detergent is stored, and which forms a space distinguished from the detergent storage space,

Wherein the detergent tank comprises:

a housing having an open top surface and storing detergent therein;

a cover member detachably coupled to a top surface of the housing; the method comprises the steps of,

a grip part formed at the cover member and extending toward an open top surface of the detergent storage space, and located on the open top surface of the detergent storage space, wherein the detergent tank includes: a detergent injection part located on a front side of the detergent tank and having a detergent injection hole defined therein; a detergent discharge part on a rear side of the detergent tank, wherein the detergent can be discharged from the detergent discharge part; and a connection part for connecting the detergent injection part and the detergent discharge part to each other, and

wherein the detergent injection part and the connection part of the detergent tank are disposed to surround the front and side parts of the auxiliary detergent container.

2. The laundry treatment device of claim 1, wherein the detergent opening is defined in a front face of the cabinet,

wherein the storage unit enters the detergent opening in a front-rear direction,

Wherein the grip portion is located on a front side of the auxiliary detergent container.

3. The laundry treating device of claim 2, wherein the auxiliary detergent container comprises a front wall and a side wall, and

wherein the detergent storage space is surrounded by the front wall and the side wall and exposed through the open top surface of the auxiliary detergent container.

4. The laundry treating device according to claim 3, wherein the cover member further includes a flange portion protruding toward the open top surface of the auxiliary detergent container,

wherein the flange portion extends along the front wall and the side wall of the auxiliary detergent container, and the grip portion is formed on the front portion located on the front wall of the auxiliary detergent container.

5. The laundry treating device according to claim 4, wherein the clamping portion further comprises a protrusion protruding downward from the flange portion.

6. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4,

wherein the front wall of the auxiliary detergent container faces at least a portion of the detergent injection part, and the side wall of the auxiliary detergent faces at least a portion of the connection part.

7. The laundry treating device according to claim 6, wherein the detergent injection part includes a lateral protrusion protruding more in a lateral direction than the connection part,

wherein the front wall of the auxiliary detergent container is located behind the lateral projection,

wherein the clip portion extends rearwardly from the lateral projection.

8. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the detergent tank is provided in a pair,

wherein the pair of detergent tanks are arranged adjacent to each other in the lateral direction,

wherein the auxiliary detergent container is located between the respective connection portions of the pair of detergent tanks, and the respective lateral protrusions of the pair of detergent tanks are located in front of the auxiliary detergent container.

9. The laundry treating device according to claim 4, wherein a front portion of the flange portion extends toward the auxiliary detergent container longer than a side portion of the flange portion located on the side wall of the auxiliary detergent container.

10. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cover member includes a vent hole defined in the detergent injection part to communicate the inside and outside of the detergent tank.

11. The laundry treating device according to claim 10, wherein the sensor terminal and the detergent valve are disposed at a rear surface of the housing,

wherein the sensor terminals and the detergent valve protrude rearward from the housing,

wherein the back surface of the storage part frame is open at positions corresponding to the sensor terminal and the detergent valve, respectively, and includes a holding part extending therethrough between the sensor terminal and the detergent valve.

12. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

the distributor is arranged in the box body and is arranged on the storage unit;

a stopper provided on the dispenser and protruding toward the storage unit; and

a locking part provided on the storage unit and protruding toward the dispenser,

wherein the stopper is positioned to be spaced apart from the locking part in a forward direction in a state where the storage unit enters the detergent opening,

wherein the locking part contacts with the stopper to limit a pull-out distance of the storage unit during a pull-out process in which the storage unit is pulled out from the detergent opening.

13. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

an elastic lever provided on the storage unit, wherein a front end of the elastic lever forms a free end, wherein the locking portion is provided behind the front end,

wherein the front end of the elastic lever is exposed to the outside of the detergent opening in a state where the locking part contacts the stopper and thereby restricts the drawing-out of the storage unit.

14. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a guide projection having a smaller width than the stopper and extending rearward from the stopper,

wherein the locking portion has a groove defined at a position facing the guide projection,

wherein the guide protrusion is inserted into the groove in a state where the locking portion is in contact with the stopper.

15. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein one face of the guide protrusion facing the storage unit is inclined so as to move away from the storage unit with increasing distance from the stopper.